Tattoo Revisited January 26, 2008

 Incase you’ve never seen this before, here is what it looks like to get a tattoo. 

Well the day is approaching. I have found several designs that I like. I went to the tattoo place today and spoke with a very nice man who was covered in tattoos. I think the only skin I saw on him that didn’t have ink were his fingers and his face. Even his neck was covered. Talk about experience! I don’t need to see his resume now. LOL! And his earlobes had holes in them so big I could have stuck my thumb through the center and not touched anything but air. That was crazy! There were hollow discs inside the holes to keep them perfectly round. I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d think of all that when he’s 85. And, as strange as it may seem, I totally wanted to stick my finger through one of those holes in his ears.

But talk about compassionate. I told him my story - I want a memorial tattoo because of my miscarriage in December and I have ideas but I can’t draw so I need help - and his whole demeanor changed. Suddenly his eyes softened, his smirk faded, his gruff way of speaking came down about 10 notches to barely above a whisper and well below a normal tone (like if he was talking to me in a movie theater after the movie had already started), he bent down and leaned on the counter and uncrossed his arms to fiddle with his thumbs. He looked me straight in the eye and treated me like his little sister even though I know I am older than him. He told me he wants to set up an appointment because a memorial tattoo such as this should be a one-of-a-kind creation and not just a walk-in. He sent me home to look up designs on the internet so I could give him a rough idea of what I am dreaming up. I have printed them out and I am supposed to take the pictures to him a day or two before my appointment so he can draw a few original designs based on my ideas.

Now this is really starting to get me excited and anxious. My friend said she wants to go with me. If all goes well I will be getting my new ink design Friday night. I have to drop off the pictures on Wednesday. If you see me at church a week from tomorrow I will have my new tattoo and I will show you (in the bathroom and only if you’re a girl!). The rest of you will have to wait for it to heal to see a picture of it on here. I won’t keep you waiting for too long. I promise as soon as the swelling goes down and it is done flaking I’ll have Rich take a picture.

On the way home I said a prayer that God would take away my sin of judging others. I don’t want to judge people by the way they look or where they work or where they live or how they dress or their body shape or their hair color or their skin color or their abilities or disabilities and so on. I am tired of judging others. I think to some degree it is normal. But there is a line and I am tired of crossing it. I especially don’t want to pass that down to my children.

So Mister Tattoo Neck - you are the one I choose to design my tattoo. I believe you are sincere and that my tattoo will be beautiful. See ya Friday.