2 years ago I decided I wanted a tattoo. I know. some of you reading this have very strong opinions about this. Its personal. It is a choice. One I took seriously and gave much thought to. Deciding I wanted one was a huge deal, I remember where Dominique was standing when I told him and I can still see the expression on his face. Priceless really. He was stunned. I know he didn't believe me. When I first told Scott I am sure he thought I was crazy then he did not believe me at all.... As the days turned into months I could not decide HOW I wanted it to represent WHAT I wanted it to mean. I wanted a mother lion protecting her babies then I decided I cant do that I would have to have 10 babies...that was NOT happening. I thought of a lotus flower. Too common. I looked at pictures on line, magazines and I began to notice other people's tattoos. Gradually my decision evolved and I knew EXACTLY what it needed to look like and what it needed to say. It was important to me that it look classy and not trashy or cheap. I had NO idea WHERE I wanted it....I knew I wanted to be able to see it. I did not want to go through this experience and then never see what I did. I narrowed it down to either my ankle or arm. I bounced back and forth and finally decided on my arm. I spoke with Dominique and told him what my decision was and asked him to choose the best artist to do my work. I would have to wait a couple weeks but the appointment was set and money set aside. I had decided not to tell anyone I was doing it. It is such a personal decision. I am not one to follow a fad or do what the crowd is doing. I am a person of strong beliefs and I know who I am and what I want most of the time. I did not want to hear others opinions or criticisms. I know there are friends and family whom I dearly love that will not agree or approve. I don't always agree or approve of their choices either but I also do my best to never judge them for their choices.
The day arrived and surprisingly I was not nervous at all. I had work to do in the morning and planned to meet Dominique at the shop, we were a little early and treated ourselves to a juice smoothie while we waited. When the doors unlocked we entered, music playing loudly but not offensive to my old ears. At first I felt a little out of place....ok maybe a lot out of place. The guys working
were my sons age and they were clearly operating in their element. Every single one of them was genuine, nice, supportive and wonderful while I was there. The artist who was to do my work took extra time to draw details and make sure what I explained to him came to life on paper. The longer it took him to perfect his work the more my heart began to beat erratically. I started to feel my nerves as I sat there listening to the buzzing as a young man was sitting in a chair getting his latest tattoo, a lady and her boyfriend came in she was tattoo'd and he was half done by the time it was my turn to sit. I watched as he meticulously prepared for his job at hand. He carefully chose each tool each instrument each color. He carefully laid the stencil he had drawn making sure its position was perfect.
I am not gonna lie, there were moments during the time I sat there that the pain rose me up out of the stool I was sitting on. But mostly I was comfortable. I was relieved that I did not cry and embarrass Dominique in front of his friends. I casually chatted off and on but mostly I thought of all the reasons this was the ONE. all the reasons in my life thus far that poured into the meaning behind this tattoo. When he was done I had to hold back tears. Tears because never have I experienced anything like this, I answered a few small questions and he got it, he nailed it. He took my words and turned them into a beautifully perfect representation of exactly what my heart was trying to explain. I love it.
I know tattoos are not for everyone. there was a time in my life when I did not believe they had a place in my life either. People change, they grow and life happens to them. Life experiences change everything.
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