Many times over the years, members from the same family have attended The Gift or The Grail together. We have shared these heartfelt stories in the newsletter of fathers and sons at The Grail, mothers and daughters at The Gift, and the positive impact it has on their relationships.

At the Austin Gift in 2016, three generations sat in circle together – Pamella and her daughter, Tina were joined by Becca, Pamella’s granddaughter and Tina’s niece. Here they share this amazing experience…

When did you express interest in the Gift? What drew you to the space?

Pamella: I was drawn to attending this Gift by the strong feelings I have for my daughter and granddaughter. I knew they would be there and the more I thought about the Gift weekend, the more my inner self told me it was time for me to return to the sacred space that I have learned to trust and love so much. To share with Tina and Becca and all my sisters my most inner feelings in the safe space of the circle and my rite.

Tina: I believe the year was 2003. I was having a brief heart to heart with my trusted friend and based on the topic of our conversation, she suggested that I might be interested in the space. She handed me a brochure, I read it and I went to the website which resonated with me. The images struck a chord so deep within me that I was overwhelmed with the mixed feelings of long forgotten remembrance and this new brimming curiosity. I was taken aback at the electric shock of this ‘knowing,’ this innate wisdom of my very own that was sparked and awakened so suddenly. I was instantly aware there was ‘something’ ancient that lay within me, and the young, new ‘me’ was suddenly so eager to embrace this remembrance that I just knew I had to attend this event. I began to realize that an undercurrent of longing existed deep within me, a yearning to reconnect with ‘something’ I knew but felt I had lost somehow, and I understood that this advent, this gathering of women, could lead me back. Even though I had absolutely no idea what I was walking into at this event, I knew to ‘trust.’ So, I paid the very next day, and I jumped right in! My body knew exactly what was going on…and ‘I’—my consciousness and awareness—was in AWE. So began my journey into learning just ‘who’ resides within this existence called ‘Tina.’ I allowed The Gift into my life because of the trust and admiration I had, and still have, for the woman who shared it with me. And as I write this, it is this realization that brings tears to my eyes, knowing that I now have the opportunity to be that very woman in the lives of others, as long as I am willing to take the risk and simply reach out and share it.

Becca: I wanted to experience what my aunt and grandma kept talking about; I went into it knowing my life would be changed.

What were the benefits for you personally? How has the experience affected your relationship and have the dynamics between you changed and, if so, how?

Pamella: At first I was very nervous to be putting myself out there for my granddaughter to see. What would she think of me, would she still love and respect me? I found that my bravery opened up my granddaughter’s will and courage to open up herself. She still loves me but more like a sister of the same truth. I have a much deeper feeling for both my daughter and my granddaughter and I really felt my own dear departed mom there with me the day of my rite.

Tina: I benefited from this particular Gift in ways that I am still yet discovering! Some of the things I have noticed is that I have found a noticeable ‘ease’ available to me that was not once there. An ease with embracing the changes I want to make with my life regarding my attitude towards myself and others, as well with how I treat my body physically in regards to modes of escapism. I am slowing down and trying harder to not be so emotionally reactionary with myself, my spouse, my pets, my family. It has allowed me the opportunity to ‘take pause’ in any situation, and to really search within for my most desired reaction. I feel a deeper bond has galvanized between my mother and niece and me, so that we exist as a single unit within this larger family of ours which has views much different than our own. I feel we share a commonality of fearlessness, and that we will always have each other to fall back into because I now know their and my capacities to ‘hold’ whatever arrives.

Becca: Our relationship has definitely strengthened through the experience. You learn things about yourself and the ones you love but throughout it all, there’s an atmosphere of love and healing. You’re all just there, experiencing that restorative energy together.

Would you do it again either individually or with each other and would you recommend it for other family members?

Pamella: Yes!,Yes!,Yes! in a heartbeat! It was a very powerful weekend that I still feel today. One day I would like my other daughter and granddaughters to attend a circle or Gift with me. I am always asking and maybe one day they will get the calling that I did. But if they don’t feel the calling to come, I will be returning to The Gift by myself.

Tina: I would ABSOLUTELY attend another Gift with both Mom and Becca, should they choose to come again! I have recommended it to all the women in my immediate family, and all but my mom and now Becca have declined so far. I do have a cousin who has expressed interest so I expect she will join us one day.

Becca: I would definitely do it again, though I would probably wait a couple years. It was an intense experience that triggered a chain reaction of change in my life. It was necessary and welcome.

Why do you continue to support the work?

Pamella: I need a place where I can open up and put it all out there and not be judged by anyone, but to be embraced by all who are there. It is a wonderful feeling of sisterly love. I would like all women to be able to feel the same thing that I feel after a rite. It’s a feeling that stays with me a long time, and I still get the calling to come home to another Gift weekend.

Tina: I support the work of Shematrix because I can see and feel the benefit of positive evolution it has created in my life and the lives of others. It has helped to solidify in me the willingness to do better for myself, to take care of others and myself with an attitude of love and acceptance. The awareness the Gift weekends have given me breaks down the self-imposed walls that separate me from others in the realization that we are all suffering on one level or another. Yet this suffering can be lessened and even dissipate all together with the support I can offer by simply bearing witness, through the action of seeing, hearing, feeling and holding the pain or experience of another. I believe this alchemy of witnessing and being witnessed, in its simplicity, truly creates the opportunity and ability to manifest desired awareness, change and healing in lives, my own included.

Becca: I think the Gift works – and the community of women you’ve bared your soul to are some of the most encouraging people I’ve ever met.