"Sam, just wanted to let you know what a wonderful job you did. I think very highly of you and think you are remarkable! Keep up the good work and I hope I'll be lucky enough to see you again some time in my life. Here's to you and all my best wishes! Thank you for your services..."
Note from the Mother of the Bride (Bridal Blessingway and Wedding), June 2011
"Samantha lead the Blessing Way for my transition to motherhood in January 2011. It was a beautiful, touching, and very meaningful ceremony, not only to me, but to the attendees as well. Samantha met with me beforehand to get a sense of who I was, what my fears and expectations about labor, delivery and motherhood were, as well as my beliefs so she could really tailor the ceremony to me. The ceremony included guided meditation, a symbolic release of fears, vows to my unborn daughter, affirmations, and of course the beads presented from each person to create a beautiful necklace that I could meditate on during labor, and have as a reminder and keepsake always of all the support from my friends for this time in my life. The ceremony itself really helped me to embrace and face my impending labor and delivery and trust in all the changes my body had gone through and would be going through to bring a life into this world and nurture it."
~ Kieran on her Blessingway, January 2011
"I was truly honored to have Samantha Cook facilitate the blessingway ceremony in honor of my son's birth. Since this was my second child, I was not having a baby shower,however I still wanted to celebrate his arrival. The blessingway was not only a beautiful tribute to my son-to-be but an emotional union among the feminine support system in my life. My friends come from a diverse background; culturally, geographically and spiritually. Sam's approach was inviting to all my guests. Her presentation and explanation of the ceremony placed everyone at ease and created a beautiful moment of sentiment, celebration and unity. I cherish my son's birthing necklace and enjoy talking about all those who loved him even before he was born."
~ Keri on her Blessingway, February 2010
"Having Sam create and host my Coming of Age Blessingway was an incredible experience. Not only was this a birthday that marked entering into adulthood, it followed weeks behind my high school graduation. By involving my close friends to bring thoughtful participation to the Blessingway, it brought us together with deep affirmations of friendship, support, and love. With a new chapter of my life ahead of me, this ceremony was an amazing entrance to that journey. I was filled with so much my love and support, we were all hugs and tears by the end of it! With such a wonderful way to mark this new beginning, I no longer felt scared or apprehensive, but instead courageous!"
~ Clarissa on her Coming of Age Blessingway, June 2006
"To celebrate the birth of my second child, Samantha Cook facilitated a Blessingway for me, which included my close friends and family. Drawing from her own spirituality and teaching experience, she created a ceremony that was deeply meaningful, touching and celebratory. Her soothing voice and grounded spirit guided us through a meditation and rituals that were endued with love and significance.
I had already had a baby shower with my first child and therefore already had all the “requisite” baby gear. My Blessingway brought together people important in my life to acknowledge and celebrate the joy of the birth of my second child. It was a ceremony that was significant and memorable. It celebrated and acknowledged the spiritual aspect of my pregnancy and baby, rather than the acquisition of more stuff.
For weeks after the ceremony, I had a souvenir of the special day in the mendhi tattoo on my belly. Now, years later, I am using one of the tokens I received from a friend as part of a necklace beading ritual as a transitional object for this second child, who is struggling with starting kindergarten. Knowing that I received this small token in love from a dear friend, during an experience full of love, makes me happy to pass it on directly to my child.
Thank you so much Samantha for my Blessingway."
~ Rebecca on her Blessingway, July 2005
