The mother/daughter relationship...

The mother/daughter relationship is one that's talked about and written about a lot. And there's a lot to write and talk about! It's a relationship that begins at birth.

Mental health counselor Jane Dugan of Fremont, Nebraska says whether you have a healthy and loving relationship with your mom or one that needs improvement, it's a relationship that can impact the rest of your life.

Dugan says, "mothers are our mirrors when we're young." But says Dugan, "the greatest gift we can give each other as a mother or daughter is the freedom to be ourselves."

If you're having difficulties working through your relationship with your mother or daughter, you may want to consider counseling. Sometimes an e-mail or even writing a letter can open the door to communication.

You also need to know that reconciling the relationship may not always be possible but Dugan says, "you need to find some way to resolve it
emotionally and get on with your life."

I was smiling from ear to ear recently after receiving the best gift from my daughter for Mother's day: a handmade book with the top 10 great things about Mom. I thought I'd share them with you:

#1 She gives you breakfast in bed when you're sick.

#2 She's a good back-scratcher

#3 She's smart

#4 She never gives up

#5 She always tells me I can do it

#6 She's trustworthy

#7 She's an awesome cook

#8 She tells me I'm the best daughter she's ever had

#9 She loves me

#10 She's the best Mom in the world

Meghan is 10. I'm hoping this book will be a reminder of how much I dearly love her and a reminder of how much she loves me, when the teenage years set in!