Tattoos tell Tales

As I travel on my journey of discovery I recently acquired a tattoo. It is a small butterfly in flight across my right shoulder. While waiting in the tat parlor I had opportunity to listen to bits and pieces of conversation around me. People discussed the significance of their chosen design with the artist who would permanently ink their anatomy with symbols, numbers or art.

One was a child’s name, rejoicing in her birth, another was a memorial to a friend no longer present in body—but not forgotten. My artist had a large volume of ink—most related to his profession. He also had an odd circle of tats around his neck…each was a tiny shoe. When asked their significance he grimaced…they were an impulse tattoo and rather embarrassing. He further said he didn’t have them removed because they serve as a reminder that ink is considered permanent.

We all should live our lives with confidence that the imprint we make can and will have lasting effects. We must make wise choices in tattoos and in other life choices that prove to be memorable.

Yes, the needles are sharp. Yes, you will bleed. Yes, it hurts…depending on where one is inked does change the pain level—or so I am told. My decision to have my shoulder inked was a good start—the pain and bleeding was minimal. Not that I have plans for another one…yet….oh well, maybe one more.

My shoulder needs protecting from sunlight, excess drying, and infection. The colors are muted but will be at the brightest in about 2 weeks…I am excited. What will my tat tell about me? Will it say I am free? The outstretched wings of my little bit of ink would speak volumes of the steps I have taken toward that end. Will people look at this artwork on my body and judge me as one who has gone over to “the dark side”? I don’t care—it is a part of who I am. Will it be regretted? I can’t imagine it will—to me it represents so many positive and different things. I will forever have a tie to my 2 beautiful daughters who joined the ranks of the inked earlier. My rediscovery of life is celebrated in this little bit of body art. Vanity…? I don’t think of it as vanity but as a daily reminder of how close I came to the edge. I will fondly remember the friend who shared the experience with me. Even as I sat being prepared with the antiseptic my friend reminded me of the pain, the risks, the permanence and the message…making sure this is what I wanted—then supported my decision. That is one definition of a true friend—they stand by you no matter what you ask, and they tell you not necessarily what you want to hear but what you need to know. I have many friends to thank for their help along this journey—as the travels continue I wonder at what will be next.