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So, I’m an artist of sorts, I enjoy creating at least. Lately I’ve been into fabrics, but since my sewing machine is from 1932 (literally) and hard to use, I went to Hobby Lobby to get some glittery fabric paint, which then led to the creation of a stencil. Once I saw it completed, I realized that’s it! That’s the image I’ve been looking for all these years! See, I’ve wanted a tattoo for years; I just wasn’t sure what I wanted on my body for the rest of my life. I wasn’t sure what would still look good when I’m 90 and wrinkled, much less what I would still be cool by then? So, I’ve waited a long time to find just the right image. I immediately called Johnny at Saint Tattoo, since it’s the best place to go get a tattoo in Knoxville and out the door I went to show him what I’d like. Butterflies have always represented redemption, resurrection, and transformation to me, the deep spiritual kind like a phoenix like rising from the ashes. There’s really nothing that I can think of that I’d rather have on me permanently than a beautiful reminder to rise up, and not let anything hold me down. This is why I also knew exactly where to put it on my body. That other almighty question when someone is getting a tattoo? For me, it’s on the opposite side from where I broke my back. There’s that redemption again.

Johnny set me up with Anna and I could hardly wait, I would have it done right then if they could have gotten me in right away. That’s the cool thing about spending 10 years waiting for the right image, because when I found it, I knew it, and I didn’t need to think about it any longer. Over the next couple days, as I waited to have it done, I was truly surprised by how many people offered to come with me; apparently it was going to hurt? It had never dawned on me that it would hurt! Seriously, the way I saw it, there are millions of people with tattoos so it must not hurt too much? Guess I got cocky and figured if I could make it through breaking my back then a tattoo would be cake. My dear friend, Gypsy Queen’s offer was different from the others though, she understood the meaning behind this tattoo, and in a special way. I watched her kick cancer’s butt a few years ago, spent a summer text messaging and writing on a chalk board with her because she couldn’t talk. I’d seen her look death in the eye and walk away laughing, and that leaves a mark on a person that a tattoo can’t hold a candle to. Not that she didn’t get another tat herself after it was all said and done!

I met Gypsy there, with her usual Starbucks cup in hand, with her handless headset in place under her black curls and smiling face. Anna took us back to her room and we quickly settled in. As Anna began, I stifled a giggle, from that weird mix of a tinge of pain with a bit of tickle. You feel it sometimes when you get a massage and a particularly tight spot is being worked out. You aren’t sure if you should laugh or cry? It didn’t hurt, getting the tattoo, well, there was a moment or two, a couple seconds rather, that I felt a sharp pain, but for the most part it tickled? I didn’t cry, I laughed. All the while, Anna, Gyps, and I talked about being a woman in Knoxville, what our tattoos meant, Anna’s family, and how she has tattooed several of the ‘Soccer Mom’s’ that go to her church. You’d probably not automatically assume that a woman almost covered in tattoos would even go to church, much less tattoo several of the other women there? Ump, but that’s what we all get for assuming. How’s that saying go, something about

making an ass out of you and me? I’ve noticed three things in this world that can bring all different kinds of people together like nothing else; God, music, and drugs. Think about it. You’ll see all kinds of people holding hands and praying together at church that you would rarely, if ever, see out sitting together at a restaurant. A good band brings a hard-core vegan, PETA loving, dreaded up, bike riddin’, hippie and a beer drinking, big orange T, baseball cap wearing, frat boy together in a New York minute. And drugs have a way of breaking through all socio-economic barriers and make for some really crazy pairings that you would just never expect to see. Like a house cat and blue jay having a picnic together.

I now see there is a fourth equalizer, tattoos. Before I knew it, my tat was finished and I love it! Gyps and I went over to Barley’s for a late dinner and the comments began. I’ve since had the pleasure of random strangers coming up to compliment my tattoo, which makes for good conversations. It’s amazing how many people have them! And everyone seems to have a story behind theirs. There’s not much better than hearing someone share about something they are passionate about, and most people are passionate about their tattoos. I love hearing about what they mean as much as looking at them, especially from the big, macho, touch guy, dudes.

So, who’s got a tat? What’s it mean to you?