TATTOO......

This is a topic I've yet to blog about for various reasons.  It's not that I'm afraid to or that I didn't want to hear all the reactions (ok, that did cross my mind)...I just haven't till now.  I was really inspired to go ahead and talk about tattoos when I read about someone I know and her journey, her story.  She was very courageous and brave and shared with the world how God is using her through her struggles.  We have a God who has a plan, and if we will just trust, listen and obey, we cant go wrong!  This young lady, her favorite Beatle song sums up her new journey, so she opted to get her first tattoo on her wrists...."blackbirds" on one wrist and "fly" on the other.  She was diagnosed with an anxiety depressive order and suffers from panic attacks and deep bouts of depression.  Her new tattoos symbolize "blackbirds singing in the dead of night.  Take these broken wings and learn to fly.  All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise, you were only waiting for this moment to arise."

I got my first tattoo in 2009, yes I was 46!   Some think mid-life crisis...and yes one lead to another, and yes it shocked some and yes disappointed some and yes Greg wasn't happy and yes my daddy said now he was gonna get one too (which he won't because of him being diabetic).  Getting my tattoo was something pertinent to my life at the time and something i strongly felt i needed to do.  I love it and I'm glad i did it.  Now that I have them, the tattoos of others fascinate me.  I love seeing pictures and reading stories about the ink someone got and why they got it.  I'm also intrigued by the locations people choose to have their tattoos done.  People are so different in what they choose...colors, fonts, pictures, words.  Tattoos are all so unique and so individual.  No two are alike in meaning or appearance.  I love that everyone has a reason for the ink they've gotten .  Everyone has a story.

Unfortunately those with visible tattoos are often judged, stared at or even excluded.  It's confusing to me why people are so concerned with what others choose.  Sure, we have all seen tattoos that are awful, awkward, poorly done, distracting, but each unique!

My family and friends were surprized and fairly shocked and probably will never understand why I did it.  Yes, it's permanent (or it used to be).  Both of mine mean a tremendous amount to me.  It marks two of the most difficult times I've ever been through, and couldn't of imagined going through.  They are a finder of the pain, but gives me hope.  Sure, there is the physical pain of the tattooing process (top of my foot was the most painful).

Six and a half years ago i started a journey i never could of imagined.  My brothers life ended and a few months later i was able to reach out and get the help i needed as i admitted and faced my drug addiction.  I knew this wasn't a battle i could fight on my own, and its been a journey that I'm grateful so many have shared with me.

My first tattoo on my upper back (where I can completely cover it up if i choose), its a cross that says "rest in peace brother".  My next one, a few months later was on the top of my foot (which I can cover up too) that reminds me daily to "let go, let God" with 2 hearts with Mike and Nae's name in them.

God has been my rock through all this.....and I can't imagine living life any other way!!  The question still remains... Is there more ink in the future for me?  Uuummmm, i think I'll take the fifth on that one!  ( but probably not!)

All because of His Amazing Grace