Tattoo of catharsis

Today 6/18/11 was a day of catharsis for me. I finally got the tattoo I have been puzzling together in my mind for the past 2 1/2 years. This may seem silly to some. I do agree it is a very good length of time to be contemplating a piece of body art.

This tattoo is more than just art to me though. This tattoo has so much symbolism and the pain of today receiving the tattoo was a cleansing of all of the pain and change that I have experienced that lead to the creation of this artwork. I feel the physical release of so many emotions that I have carried with me throughout this time of growth and transformation.

I will first explain the images and then attach them.

Bumblebee: My family on my mother's side has a bumblebee in their crest (you can see it in the Sistine Chapel). Also, I have a son whose initials are B.G. and I often call him my bug. His initials are in the wings and his D.O.B. lies under the bumblebee.

Vines/Scroll: symbolizes growth and change and a winding path

Butterfly/Key body: Butterflies traditionally signify growth/change/rebirth. The key is literally just that "the key to change". Purple signifies wealth(of spirit, strength, character) Orange: signifies warmth, heart, ambition. Blue signifies peace, calm, tranquility. Yellow...well yellow is the color of a bumblebee and looks amazing :)

Here is the transition from "nakey foot" to beautiful piece of art.

What makes the world go round?

There are days I find myself feeling like an utter failure at everything I have attempted to do in life. Then I slap myself and say look around you, silly little nitwit and realize that you have have created and raised a beautiful, smart, kind and loving child. You have held a job and supported your family. You have lost 30 lbs and 20 inches worth of person in less than a year. You have grown as a person and learned to love and respect yourself more than ever in your past. You are loyal and loving to your friends. You give and help when people don't expect it.

I have a very blessed life. I know that God and his angels watch over me and my family. I know that He is leading me through this life and that He will protect me if I just set aside my human pride and ASK.

I got to spend time with wonderful momma's today and their sweet, caring, smart and beautiful little boys. I am so proud of the women we are and how we teach our children to love and be thoughtful and how they will be men one day who will be examples to others. We all need time to cherish our friends, to learn and grow and to share time together. We need support. I have heard a theory that I feel to be true, they say that in America we have more back problems than in any other country; that we have these back problems because we are so individualistic as a culture that our physical bodies manifest the singular focus we put on our lives, and that we as a people take on so much that our backs cannot support our world. Our physical bodies do manifest the stresses in our life.

When did it get so complex, when did it get so demanding. When will I feel strong enough to simplify. Because let's not kid ourselves....it takes strength.

I praise God for the strength he has given me and for the path's he has lead me down. I pray for another day, another lesson and angels to guard me.