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!!!