I’ve been inked 23 times and all call my tats the scars I choose. One of the ways I process big emotions and events.
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My most recent tattoo is also my most visible, three red roses under my collarbone, close to my heart. They’re for my dear friend Rosie who passed away suddenly in Jan 2019. At a certain point I realized I couldn’t let go of my grief for fear that it was all I had left of her, so I put her somewhere I would see her every day and never have to lose her.
If your ink could speak, what would it say?I think it would tell a story of resilience, love and artistic expression winning against all odds. I have my memorial tattoo of Rosie and a baby sister who never made it to Earth. On the flip side I have a mother/daughter tattoo that my mom also has in the same spot. Two companion tattoos with my best friend. And a not-yet-finished sleeve representing death and rebirth on life’s journey. My ink would say that I’ve been broken down and burned and came back a Phoenix.
What would you do with the $25,000?Well I’m currently in the middle of a breast cancer battle. I now know that I’m winning even as there’s still more fight ahead. But when I was first diagnosed my prognosis was unclear, and my husband and I got married quickly before my surgery and treatments - a small affair with the help of our moms. So, I would pay them back and give my husband the dream wedding we didn’t have the time or budget to have with all his friends and family there like he wanted. And maybe get
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Body art deserves to be shown off.
