Second Chance to Meet Someone Again for the First Time

Have you ever wished you had a second chance to meet someone again for the first time? I do. Not so much as a do over, but more like a do it again. Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. It's important to never miss the opportunity to tell people how much they mean to you because you never know if you will see them again. 

I found my biological family with the help of the amazing CeCe Moore right before Christmas in 2015. It was the best Christmas present I have ever received. I got to know my sisters through email, text messages and phone calls. We grew very close and they were more than my sisters, they were my best friends!! After 8 incrediable months I finally met my sisters face to face on the Dr. Oz Show.

Two years ago my life changed forever. Dr. Oz flew me to New York City to be on his show to talk about how I used DNA to find my biological family. I will never forget when he asked me if I thought my sisters were watching. It took me off guard because I knew the show wasn't filmed live so obviously they weren't watching at that moment. Before I could answer he told me they weren't watching because they were here.  I had waited my whole life to meet them. Meeting my sisters for the first time was one of the happiest moments of my life. I always wanted a sister and now I have two. Meeting Dora and Celina was a dream come true for me.

Side by Side or Miles Apart, We are SISTERS connect by the Heart.

Our time on the Dr. Oz show was very special to us. Dr Oz and his staff were so friendly and kind. I can not say enough good things about them. The show and staff are truly a class act. On the show we talked about my story, how I used a 23andme DNA test to find my family and all information that you can find out from a DNA test. The brilliant CeCe Moore was there to talk about DNA testing. It was a comforting feeling to have CeCe there with us. I'm so glad that she was able to witness our reunion because without her I would have never found my family. You can see the airing of our show on Dr. Oz website.

Dr. Oz, Amy Barriga, Dora Barriga-Lassiter, Celina Barriga, CeCe Moore

After we left the Dr. Oz show we had a day to spend in Manhattan. We had years to make up for. We did not waste any minute. We explored all of Manhattan, taking pictures together, talking, laughing, doing all the things that sisters do. 

Our first Selfie together in the elevator at our hotel right after the Dr. Oz show

Having fun in Time Square. 

Showing our support for the NYPD

Dora spotted a Cuban Restaurant in Time Square. My sisters introduced me to Cuban food. We had a great time at Havana Central Restaurant. 

I was blessed to meet more of my amazing Cuban family while I was in New York. Even though my visit with them was short I loved every minute and absorbed every word they said. I can't thank them enough for coming to meet me. 

We took a magical carriage ride through Central Park. This was one of the most memorable things we did. We laughed so much and had a wonderful time.

When we were in New York, Dora gave me a photo album that she put together for me. It had pictures of our parents, my sisters and brothers throughout their lives. I cherish it to this day. Inside she wrote something very special to me and her words are always with me. 

The next day we all had to leave and go back to different sides of the United States. We didn't want to leave each other and it was really hard to let them go. We had so much time to make up for, but we made memories in New York that will last a lifetime. We vowed to go on a sister trip together every year and we couldn't wait to go back to New York. 

I wish I had a second chance to meet my sisters for the first time again. I wouldn't change a thing. This was the only time I ever saw my sister Dora healthy. She was full of life and love. She was happy and glowing. She was everything I ever wanted in a big sister. I only saw her one more time before she passed away and she was already so sick from the cancer. She was in pain and my heart broke because I could not help her. I was blessed to spend our first Christmas together one year after finding my family. It breaks my heart that is the only Christmas we will ever spend together.  Fourteen months after I found her, six months after I met her in New York, Dora passed away in February 2017.

As today marks the two year anniversary of our time in New York it is bittersweet for me. Not a day goes by that I don't think of being in New York City with my sisters. I miss my sister Dora as much today as I did the day she passed away. It hasn't gotten easier. I need her. Our family needs her, and I am still angry that cancer took her from us so abruptly.  Even though I didn't have enough time with her, I am thankful for every second I did have with her. We thought that we had many years to make up for the years we were separated, but we didn't. I look at the album she gave me everyday and I read the words she wrote to me. Celina and I are very close, but we both know that a part of us is missing with Dora gone. 

Thank you everyone for your support. Reading my blog, sharing my story, sharing my page is all appreciated more than you will ever know. I am working really hard right now on sharing my story through books and film. I just want to say that I would have never been on the Dr. Oz show or found my family, or had any time with my sisters if it wasn't for each one of you sharing and writing and showing support and love to me in some way. I can never thank you enough. You made my dreams come true. For more information about the books and movies you can visit the website.

To Dora:

Those special memories of you will always bring a smile. If only I could have you back for just a little while. Then we could sit and talk again just like we use to do. You always meant so much and always will too. The fact that you're no longer here will always cause me pain. But you are forever in my heart until we meet again!!

Happy Two Year Anniversary on our meeting Dora and Celina. I love you both so much!!!

Find your dream and then risk everything to make it a reality!!

  Find your dream and then risk everything to make it a reality!! 

For almost 20 years I had one dream and that was finding my biological family. I never gave up on that dream even though at times I never thought it would become a reality. If you followed my story, you know some of the obstacles I encountered along the way. But I made a promise to myself that I would never give up. 

Tonight I was reminded of one of the lowest times of my journey. As I read the words that  I wrote my heart broke. I remember the pain and sadness that I felt and how I wanted to give up. But I couldn't. I knew that was not my destiny. 

This journey has been filled with so much struggle, but I always knew that God put me in that phone booth to be an example and inspiration to others in similar situations. I never forgot that no matter how hard things seemed, I knew I needed to stay positive for others. 

I have known for many years that I was going to write a book about my life story and since moving to Hollywood I have had the chance to make my story a movie. Actually a series or franchise of movies and this is just the beginning. I always said everything would happen in God's time and that time is now. I am beyond excited for what the future holds.

To me this is about so much more than sharing my life story. Everyone has a story- a testimony- which defines, shapes, moves and propels them. When we share our story we are able to move others by inspiring, giving hope, or touching their lives in some way. Throughout my journey the response I have received when I share my story with someone is overwhelming. The amount of people who have reached out to me inspired me to move forward. The encouragement and love that was poured out drove me to continue when I felt like I couldn't go on. The stories that were shared with me made me feel like I wasn't alone. I am eternally grateful to everyone that reached out to me and helped me on my journey.

Through the "Abandoned" series I want to inspire people to move forward no matter what obstacles are in front of them. I want people to know that there is hope, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem. I want people to know that they are not alone, no matter how lonely they may feel.  I know feelings of loss, loneliness, and despair can be tragic but I want people to know that these feelings can be replaced with joy, happiness and love. When you are facing trials in life I want to encourage you to keep going. Don't stand in the fire, walk through to the other side!!

I am excited with all that is happening. Two books will be complete soon. Abandoned Vol.1 and also a bible study. These two books have been a work in progress for some time and I am thrilled to share them with you.

The movie is in pre production. It takes a lot to make a movie, especially when it's a time piece based on a true story. I am excited for the cast and crew to travel to Oklahoma and bring this story to life. The business cards promoting the movie are here. The website is up. www.abandonedmovies.com
The movie Facebook, Instagram, twitter, and youtube are all active. There is a link to all the social media on the website.

There is a go fund me account  https://www.gofundme.com/abandoned-vol1-movie
To make this movie become a reality I need to raise money. It is costly to make a movie. Props, locations, insurance, costumes, equipment, not to mention the travel and accommodation and food for the cast and crew, just to name a few expenses.

I will be blogging often and keeping everyone up to date on the progress. You can also follow on social media to stay even more up to date.

You can donate to this movie on the Go Fund me or straight from the website. I encourage you to visit the website. On the website is a list of donation rewards. The rewards range from a movie t shirt to having a part in the movie. I appreciate your support so much. It means more to me than I can express. 

Step into my shoes and walk a mile with me

Step into my shoes and walk a mile with me, the journey has been long and the road was not easy, but  by the grace of God and the help of some amazing people I made it. 

A few years ago a day like today seemed impossible. I just spent 9 days at my sister's house. Our kids are best friends like cousins should be. We all have a lot of time to make up for but we are defiantly a family....finally.  I was sitting at the kitchen table and the kids were all sitting around and my sister was cooking and everyone was talking and laughing and it felt like complete chaos, I loved every second of it. It felt like a family should be and I never wanted that moment to end.

So many of us take these small moments for granted. I will never do that again. I spent many long years trying to find out who I was and its better than I ever could have imagined. I could have never made this dream come true without the help of everyone who supported me and shared my story. Because of all of you my story was heard by the right people who could help and make my dream a reality. There were so many times that  I thought I would never have my questions answered and your inspiring messages kept me going. The road was long and hard and lots of time my supporters carried me along my journey. I am eternally grateful.

For many years I have been asked when I was going to share my story with the world. I always said "I don't have an ending yet." and once I had the ending I still had so many questions that I needed answers to. I am still learning more every day, but the time is here, the time is now!! I am ready to share this story and inspire others to NEVER give up!!

I am starting with releasing a book in a few months and it will be followed by a movie. Abandoned Vol.1 will tell the beginning of the story. It is a heart wrenching, inspiring story of love and abandonment. It will defiantly pull at your heart strings.  My hope with this movie is the same as it was when sharing my story through this blog. It is to give hope and inspire others. If I can do it, you can do it! Nothing is impossible, even if it seems impossible!

Making a movie is a costly project for production. We plan to travel with cast and crew to Oklahoma. We plan to recreate 1978. I promise you won't be disappointed! I have started a Gofundme account! I am asking if everyone could donate something, even if it's $1. Everything helps and gets us towards our goal.  I would have never made it this far without you and together we can bring hope to those across the world.

If you would like to donate $1000 or more I have some donation packages for you ( things like- executive producer, movie extra, advertising, name in credits)  you can email me at abandonedvol1@gmail.com for more information.

I'll be sharing more about production as it progresses. For now I just ask that everyone share this story and the gofundme page and please donate if you can.


Visit my GoFundMe page for more information and to date!! Please share!!!
I know that with love and support anything is possible!! Thank you all so much!!