When eighteen rolled around, I was living in Chicago and dancing in a professional dance company- I took my best friend at the time (Maria Tucker) with me to a small tattoo shop in Evanston, IL for my first tattoo! I knew I was in trouble from that point on! I was ADDICTED! I loved the rush of adrenaline, the sound of the buzzing needle and the spiritual high I got.
There's something about the permanency of a tattoo that makes me happy. I know many people see them as ugly and regrettable...
However, I find tattoos beautiful works of art and self-expression. Over the years I've continued to build on my body art- I'm up to six tattoos. All of which are extremely meaningful to me. Each represents a moment in my life, and add to the greater story of the journey I'm on.
Sure, there are those connotations connected with a permanent mark- the Holocaust and life as an inmate. But lets not forget that tattooing dates back to the Neolithic times, dating from the fourth to fifth millennium BC. Tattoos have long served as a spiritual practice- marking devotion, bravery, rank, and pledges of love!
Last night I was excited to share in my friend Amy's first tattoo experience! Amy had been contemplating the idea of a tattoo for well over a decade. She always knew what she wanted, however, she wasn't ready to take the next step. But like with most people, when it's time- you know it! (I know I sound crazy, but tattoos are something that really are more than just Pop culture or a Disney character you pick off a wall when you're drunk in the Bahamas!)
Anyway, Amy has a birthday coming up- and she was ready to mark this step of her journey-
I got to hold her hand last night as the needle sunk into her skin! She was nervous, but extremely brave! Amy- Welcome to the club!
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