Chevenise Deparra

What inspired your most recent tattoo?

Good fortune in pain. The sum of things I believed were bad or tragic that happened in my life, things I battled with that turned out to be the forging of my strength and growth. The losses that brought about deeper feelings yet understanding and compassion. It was the creation of balance and learning to appreciate my life and what I could do with it. Survivors guilt turned out to be a driving force. I can never lose another war knowing what I have overcome. The fallen stand with me.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

Many people have come and gone so I could be here. Don't take what you have for granted, it may not all be beautiful or feel good but the to goal is to go as far as possible because I'm creating a path for my daughters and they will continue with the parts of me that survived and remain with them. Give them tools to work with and give myself grace.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would do something for my parents. Put it twords getting them a home. They deserve the world, their sacrifice does not go unnoticed. They gave everything to be with me by my side through everything while having 4 other kids. As a parent now I can only imagine what that felt like for them. And I want to say thank you. My mom made me the caring person I am, my dad helped me become the diesel mechanic I am now. They never gave up even when I had an expiration date. 3 months turned into 24years.