"It was just the most indescribable feeling," said Lisa about the first time she heard her mother.
Lisa Wright's journey to connecting with her birth mother 50 years later had an unexpected ending. According to People, Wright was pleasantly surprised after she found out that her biological mother was actress Lynne Moody, who starred in one of her favorite TV shows.
"I grew up watching my mother on TV and didn't even know it. That's My Mama — that was our must-see TV. We all sat down and watched That's My Mama every week, and who knew? No idea. ... And that's my mama!" recalled the woman with joy.
Wright began searching for her birth mother after she had her child. Since her adoption was closed, Wright had never looked out for her blood relatives. However, her adoptive mother had often told Wright that her biological mother did the best thing for her by giving her up.
Woman Finds Her Birth Mother 50 Years Later and Learns She Starred on Her Favorite TV Show https://t.co/C7H3d95vb7
— People (@people) May 8, 2021
Speaking to Today, Wright recalled, "My (adoptive) mom told me, 'Your mommy loved you, but she was really young, and she knew she couldn't take care of you. I wanted the baby so bad, and that's why your mom let me take care of you. You weren't abandoned. This was just the best thing for you.'"
However, after Wright became a mother herself, she wanted to connect with her real mother. As a result, her son suggested a DNA test to know more about her genetics. Luckily, the results came with the information of a matching family member.
Recalling that moment, Wright stated, "I get an alert, and it says, 'This person is your uncle.' So I just reached out and said, 'If you're open to it, I would love to chat with you to see what all of this means.'"
Shortly after, Wright met her biological uncle through a phone call. "I said, 'Well, I was born on Dec. 10, 1964. I was told that my biological mom was very young when she had me. She moved to LA because she wanted to be in Hollywood.' And then he just stopped me right there," recounted Wright.
She continued, "And so he goes, 'Lisa, you're my niece. We've been looking for you. We've all been looking for you.'" Soon, Wright got a call from her biological mother.
Looking back at that phone conversation, Wright stated, "A voice on the other end says, 'Is this my daughter?' And then I just went, 'Oh, my God, is this my mother?' And then she goes, 'Yes, sweetie, this is your mom.' It was just the most indescribable feeling."
However, what shocked her the most was finding out that her mother was Moody. Wright could not believe she grew up watching her mother on-screen. The mother and daughter duo were delighted to have connected after so many years.
"When she was born, they covered my face, my eyes, so that I couldn't see her. But I could hear her cry. All I could say was 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, baby, I'm sorry.' As a mother, you never, ever, ever forget. During those 50 years, all I did was try to learn how to live with it. I didn't know if she was hungry, if she was alive, if she was happy, if she was adopted," said Moody.
Moody, who does not have other kids, revealed that she dreamed of connecting with her daughter.
She said, "When I found out that she was my daughter, at that moment, it was like I was giving birth. Because I lost my legs, I was on the floor in a fetal position, screaming and crying. I didn't know how deep that hole was."
References
https://www.today.com/parents/after-50-years-daughter-found-her-birth-mom-who-starred-t217658
Cover Image Source (Representational): Getty Images | Photo by Ariel Skelley