No you
didn’t! Yes, I did! No, you didn’t. For
Real, I did!
I know! I’ve always been the one to say I’d never get
one and here I am about to show you my new tattoo! Well somewhat new, I have kept it a secret
for a year now. Surprise!
I have worked in two careers where I have seen
too many people naked. This led me to
view quite a few tattoos. Young, old and in between. Most have not been delightful to stare at,
especially when they are not artfully done or when the person’s skin is so
saggy, I would have had to ask them to pull it tight to even recognize what the
tattoo was portraying.
Now I have
always enjoyed photographing them as long as they did not embarrass me, they
can create quite a dramatic effect when photographed well.
So how has
no one seen this creation in the year since I’ve had it inked on my body? It rained all dang summer! So there was no swim suit wearing for me and
it’s not like I just go around pulling up my clothes and say, “Hey look at
this!”
Just like my
very first presentation about our crash at St. James High School, it was GO BIG or GO HOME!
Yep, it’s
big. I put more thought and research
into this than I did my college classes.
This is permanent and something I never thought I would do. So why did I do it?
Our two
daughters, who were in the crash with me, spoke of it a couple of years
afterwards. That, when they were of age, they wanted to obtain something to acknowledge the evening that everything in
their life changed and we came out the other side with a different, but positive perspective on life.
Still living
in incredible pain, I couldn’t entertain the thought. Why would I torture myself, (as I’ve always
heard how the drilling of needles burrowing ink into your body feels), to be
reminded of a night that I am still humbled by every second as my body pulses with
fire burning pain? (yes, the tatt hurt like a motha)
As time
moves forward and changes my body, so does my outlook on the tattoo. It becomes a symbol of faith, courage and
determination. I am as proud to wear it
as I am the scars that the metal of my car ripped across my body.
It says I
not only have survived, but I did not allow this experience to ruin me or my
relationships.
My husband
was superbly surprised at my admission that I was seriously thinking of this
and how large. When I described what I
wanted and where, he quietly began perusing the internet, unknown to me. He passes his iPad over to my side of the
love seat and says, “What do you think about these?”
My open
mouth gape turned upward into a smile and I asked, “So you are okay with this?” Not only was he okay he wanted to help in the
design and encouraged me.
Why
butterflies? They represent strength
and a re-birth. Never knowing
We decided
on four because we have four
children, each supporting our family as we traveled through four years of overcoming this tragedy together.
Wanting the color to pop, just like my renewed outlook on life, I opted for bright, contrasted hues. Just like the butterfly, I am quiet in
nature, but now subtly make my presence known.
Not feeling
too womanly with my scars and awkward walk, I wanted this to show strength combined with
femininity. Ten hours of adding butterflies, scrolls and
lastly the date, my artist, Will at Blood Brothers Ink , suggested the cocoon. Listening to my story and how it has affected
me, he also viewed this as a re-birth. I
was wrapped in a cocoon for four years as I recovered and emerged a beautifully
scarred butterfly, who has a wonderfully positive view on just about
everything in her life.
Butterflies
signify peace and that is what I have been left with as this part of my journey comes to a close. So..........
PEACE………be with you all.
*** My artist Will Spencer is wildly creative, listens to your ideas and is equally creative and trustworthy wielding needles and ink. My personal recommendation.
