You and Your Tattoo
In Memory of Kale
I got this tattoo, my only tattoo I will ever get, in memory of my brother, Kale, who was killed in a car accident back in December 2000. It is simple but it means so much to me. I loved the way it turned out and am thinking about adding a little color to it at some point. I came up with the idea but allowed the tattoo artist to design it. The letters represent his initials and his birth year and death year are on either side. Kale was my big brother, my only brother, and best friend. He was good at just about everything, or so it seemed to me. Kale was one of the reasons I grew to love playing basketball and it was him who pushed me to be a good player. I had the opportunity to play college basketball, but I don't believe I would have been as solid of a player without Kale around to beat up on me when we were kids. I got this tattoo right before my first college basketball season. As the announcer would call my name during the starting lineups I would tap this tattoo on my right calf twice and then point up to the sky, letting Kale know that I knew he was with me each and every game. That is why this tattoo is extremely important to me.
Butterfly Kisses Free Fallin Out Into Nothin'
I made the heartbreaking decision to cut ties with my father because it was more painful to have a relationship with him. I was super hurt and devastated by some actions and words that were aimed towards me. As a kid my dad had the song 'Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle on repeat and those were happier times, even though I wasn't in contact with my dad, I still listened to Butterfly Kisses and cried and remembered the good times with my dad. I tattooed it to myself as a reminder to myself that I am my dad's daughter and he will always be my father no matter what was said about me and hurtful actions he wanted to do to me. One day I hope to repair the relationship and we are now working on our relationship.
Free Fallin: I love Tom Petty, for years I was totally unstable when it came to finance, housing, what state I was living in, I constantly felt like I was free falling into nothing.
Tribal Thorn Band
This Tattoo is my first & favorite! I had this done on my 18th birthday (October 25, 2003). This tattoo was done in memory of my best friend (Kale) who died in a car accident our freshman year of high school. He and I were inseparable, we were brothers! We did everything together and when it came to football we were unstoppable, he wore the number 33 and I was 36! When the accident occurred and he was taken from all of us I was lost not having my best friend beside me, so I started thinking of a way to keep him with me other than just in mind and heart. Then I put together this tattoo and the day that I was old enough, I got it! The tribal thorn band goes all the way around my arm which represents a piercing eternal bond, in the middle I placed the number 33 to stand for my partner in crime, Kale! This tattoo is a never ending bond with me and my long lost but not forgotten friend who will always be by my side! Miss ya buddy, until that day!!!
Jerusalem Cross
In June 2012, I participated in an experiential retreat weekend that changed my life. The ministry uses the Jerusalem Cross to talk about the aspects of Christ we want to emulate. So my tattoo is a quasi-Celtic variation on the Jerusalem Cross.The main cross is a sign of Christ's presence, sovereignty and sacrifice. Each quadrant reminds me of Christ's Love, Warrior (Justice), Kingship (Protector/LORD) and Wisdom (The Word of God). The circles are a sign of the Incarnation: Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Humanity all intertwined. The phrase Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi is an ancient phrase of Worship commonly used in Eastern Orthodoxy. It means: The Rule of Prayer instructs the Rule of Faith. Or the way you worship/your theology instructs the way you live/reveal Christ in your life. It is a foundational phrase in my life and thinking and something I constantly think about.
John 3:16.
I got this in 2006 or 07, as a reminder that believing in Christ as your savior, you will live an eternal life through Him. That's it! "Believe in Him and you will never die." I was raised into Catholicism, but did not trust the teachings. Mom & Dad were (and still are) very devoted Catholics. When I talked about "searching" for the real answer they were not happy with me and expressed it loud and clear. So I simply stepped away from the church altogether. In 2002 a very life changing Divorce I decided to pursue my search no matter what my parents said and I brought my kids along for the ride. It was my youngest, Allison, that made the commitment first and became baptized. Shortly afterward I followed her bringing my other two along. My tattoo signifies that it's not that difficult to know Christ, it's nothing to be ashamed of but everything to be proud of and its very simple. John 3:16.
In Memory of Mom
I got my first tattoo when I was 20 years old, on the 10th anniversary of when my mom passed away. My mom had cancer for many years before she finally passed away and I knew I wanted to honor her memory. She was an amazing, strong, cheerful woman who found joy, even in the darkest times. She loved tulips and when I was young, we planted hundreds of tulips in our yard. In the front of the house they were all a brilliant red color. Because of her love for those flowers, I chose a red tulip as a symbol to remind me of her. This was so fitting for many reasons; red tulips mean "perfect love" in flower language and is there any other type of earthly love that comes closer to perfect than a mother's love? Whenever I look at it I am reminded of my mom and her grace, beauty, and strength.