True Life › Ep.

Many of us feel fortunate to have a strong bond with our mother. But how would it feel if your mom left you as a child and never returned? In this episode of True Life, you'll meet two young people who are hoping to reconnect with the mothers who abandoned them long ago.

Debra was taken away from her drug addicted mom and put into foster care when she was five. Now Debra's graduating from college and wants her mother to be present when she receives her diploma. Although her sister and friends are not completely behind the idea, Debra makes the drive from Sacramento to San Bernardino. It takes several days of combing the streets, motels, and shelters her mother has been seen at but Debra finally finds her mom at a motel room paid for by her uncle. Although she's hesitant to spend time with Debra and tries to get out of it, Debra is eventually able to take her mom out clothes shopping and back to her hotel for some bonding. Unfortunately, Debra's mom leaves when Debra brings up the idea of rehab. The mother and daughter meet up the next day to go back to Sacramento, but Debra's mom decides to stay where she is. She promises to attend Debra's graduation but doesn't show up. Still, Debra is happy to be surrounded by friends and family and claims she'll never give up on her mother.

Richard hasn't seen his mother since his parents divorced when he was a toddler. Although happy living with his dad, Richard yearns to know why his mom has chosen to stay out of his life. Knowing his dad won't like the idea, Richard attempts to track down his mom's number on the internet but comes up empty-handed. His father agrees to help but worries that Richard will be disappointed by his mother. After his dad puts him in touch with his uncle, Richard is finally able to get a real phone number for his mom. They do talk on the phone, but Richard's mom isn't terribly enthusiastic about the idea of him coming out to visit her. She cancels shortly before Richard's scheduled to fly to Florida and see her and then stops answering Richard's calls. Richard decides to wait a few months before reaching out to her again in hopes that his mom will be more receptive in the future.