Tell us about your birth marks, scars, tattoos, or piercings. I have three ear piercings in my right ear, one in my left. I have one "strawberry" birthmark at the nape of my neck. I have minimal scarring, really, just a couple on my face from where I fell on my face about five years ago. So I'll go with my tattoos.
I got my first tattoo after I had pulmonary emboli (blood clots in my lungs) when I was 40. As I was lying in the hospital, I decided I wanted to mark this significant event and time in my life permanently. So, when I was off blood thinners for a couple of months, I got the four leaf clover on my left wrist as a reminder that I am lucky to be alive. The next tattoo is the mandala, a Celtic design just above my right ankle. It represents my three sisters and me, how we are always twined together. Then, last year I got the book with "imagine" across the top on my right wrist, because I love losing myself in books--and imagine is one of my favorite words. Last Wednesday I got the paisley on my left foot just because I could. I NEVER considered myself a tattoo person. It wasn't until my first ever hospitalization when I realized how fortunate I am to have people who listen to me and care about me that I wanted to mark the moment. When I turned 40 I toyed with getting one but couldn't think of anything particular to get so I just laughed it off. When I knew what I wanted, I just couldn't stop myself. And they are addicting. When my students go on and on about getting one when they turn 18, I tell them to wait until they have a story to tell--that it's telling the story of your life with permanent art. I know I've discouraged a few from rushing out and getting something.
3 comments:
I had no idea you had 4! For some reason I thought the one on your foot was your first! Crazy
I like the thought of the story to tell. Yours are beautiful. I love the stories behind them.
I've been meaning to swing by and check out your tattoos. I love that you have meaning behind them. My first one was a pretty butterfly when I was 18, because I've always loved them, but it didn't mean anything. Now at 32, the one I got on my foot means so much. Still went with the butterflies, two of them for my kids and one for the baby I lost, but you're right. Having a little life experience and getting one that has significance means so much more than getting one just because you're of age.
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