Body Art

7/15/2013

I have been contemplating getting a love infinity tattoo like the one shown here for over a year. Bella showed me it in white and at first I was like, "Yeah, no thanks." Then it kind of grew on me. I had a similar one applied in henna at a friends party. And a funny thing happened. It irritated me to look down on my wrist and see it there.

I wanted to get this particular tattoo because I am a firm believer in the power of infinite love; you figured that out already, right?

I have to imagine each person's tattoo has a story. Otherwise, what would be the point?

When I was younger, I was aghast at the thought of a tattoo. Thanks to programs like "Miami Ink" I got over that. Now, I know so many people who have them or who are considering getting one, I don't even think twice about it. I have a friend who got her kids initials in the infinity sign. It's lovely, although she did have some trepidation at telling her mom she got one. She's 48, by the way. I have another friend who was born on Halloween and she has a small jack 'o lantern.

I now work with several women who have tattoos. And honestly, their bodies are the perfect canvases for the art they have chosen to put on themselves. One woman has utterly glorious sleeves of vibrant and beautiful flowers. Another has a delicate circle of swirls and hearts around her wrist. Another woman just got a glorious dream catcher. And another has several I haven't had a chance to even look at to date. There may be more women with them, I just haven't seen them yet.

I wouldn't put a name on me. Well, maybe the kids. I wouldn't put a wedding band. One of my friends told me she has a friend who is a tattoo artist. He told her years ago that as soon as you have your significant others name put on you, the relationship starts to fall apart. Another person, who had one put on for guilt reasons, said it was like having the name of their jailer on them. (That relationship was on it's way to done when they put the name of their spouse on their ring finger as a wedding band! Double ouch!) Then, I think of all the celebrities who have had to have tats redesigned or removed and can't imagine it was worth it.

My kids are horrified I am even thinking of this. Perhaps we're switching roles? I don't enjoy pain, and I pretty certain this hurts. So, would I be happy or would I regret it?

What are your thoughts on tattoos?! Do you have one? Why did you chose it's design? Do you want more? Are some more significant than others? I really want to know!

Through the beauty of the YouTube search engine I found out there are any number of songs about tattoos. Some of the rap-type songs were quite fabulous. Van Halen rocks it with a song, aptly titled, "Tattoo."
After listening to a number of them, this is the one that won.
I love a song with Celtic flair.
http://youtu.be/9d8SzG4FPyM

10 Comments

Ellen

7/15/2013 12:01:45 am

While I too find tattoos to be a personal expression and on young vibrant bodies they look beautiful.... move ahead 30, 40, 50 years... not so much. My cousin likened the want for a tattoo like that favorite "party dress" we may have had as little kids... we grew out of it, whether we didn't want to wear it anymore or we didn't fit in it. I have a child who desperately wants a tattoo, she knows my feeling about it, and due to her great fear of needles, I am not sure her desire will come to fruition... however, she knows that I am all about the discreet placement and the size of the tattoo.

Maggie ~ TGHR

7/15/2013 10:44:14 am

I am definitely over the age thing. Having read through the comments here, on FB and via my email I would say that whenever you decide on permanent ink, well, THAT'S the right time. ;-)

I am still thinking about this...

Placement is key.
xo

Robin Kidder

7/15/2013 12:30:40 am

After you sort this out be sure to get back to us. lol I have wondered if tattoos are just for the young ...the beautiful ...the rebellious ...the artist ...those trying to recapture youth ...and on and on it goes. I don't believe I will ever get one but that is because I get tired of things. I change the art on my walls. I have even changed my wedding bands (and would like to again). I think the second I got a tattoo I would be tired of seeing it and need to add something else as a distraction. I wonder if that is why so many people have more than one? ;-) I find it interesting that you got it done in henna and it bothered you but you're still munching on this idea. Maybe you didn't like it on your wrist and you should try a henna one somewhere else? I don't know what to tell you is right for you. I just know myself and this old gal is not getting one. Now, a belly button piercing or a nose ring I may consider. hahahaha (I am SOooooo just kidding about that.) xoxoxo

Maggie ~ TGHR

7/15/2013 10:46:22 am

I am thinking about henna again in a different spot. It's funny, I had a temporary tattoo on my wrist that was bigger than the infinity love and it didn't bother me at all. (This is occurring to me as I write this.) Perhaps the thicker font made the difference...

::: munch, munch, munch ::::

To be continued!

Leigh

7/15/2013 01:42:46 am

It's a totally personal thing. I wanted one when I was 16, and my mom said I had to wait 5 years and if I still wanted it then I'd be sure it wasn't just a passing fancy. By the time those 5 years passed I was already involved with the man I would marry, who is vehemently anti-tattoo. So I didn't get one out of respect for him. But when I turned 40 and still wanted one I went ahead and did it. He didn't like it, but then I don't like the hair on his back, but he won't wax that to please me, so I got over not doing something just to please him. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want it on my wrist or anywhere "public" (mine is just below my hip), partly because there are just times in my life when it's not appropriate to be a tattooed woman, and partly because it's really a personal thing for me, not something I want to share with every stranger. And, btw, even at 40, neither of my parents were happy about it. And 8 years later my mother still looks a little sickened when she sees it. Oh well.....

Maggie ~ TGHR

7/15/2013 10:47:50 am

LOL!
Yours wins for the best response for doing something for YOU! Bravo. :-)

Clare

7/15/2013 04:18:06 am

I wanted one for years but was so afraid of what my parents would say, held off until I was 48. I told my mom about it right before they closed the lid of her coffin, till haven't told my Dad (cause he's still alive). I love mine, its on my leg and is a cherub. I have my husband, my kids and my sister's name under the cherub. Most of my nephews have tributes to those who have died, but I am all about the living! Don't care what it looks like when I'm 80-on my body a saggy tattoo will be the least of my problems.

Maggie ~ TGHR

7/15/2013 10:49:22 am

Good for YOU for being about the living. Me too. Just not on my body. In permanent ink. ;-)

At 80 none of us will give a fat rats ass what ANY tattoos looked like. Hell, we not even remember we have one!

xo

Janis Hayes

7/15/2013 05:19:02 am

Since I am the friend born on Halloween with the Jack o' lantern tattoo, I feel the need to respond. I got my body art in 1993 at a seedy biker establishment in Commack Long Island ( I think). There was not too much thought behind it. It was a freind who wanted a fairy tattoo and wanted me to come along for moral support but once I got there, I decided what the hell.
I have been thinking all day about Jack ( the Tattoo) and how he has changed my life. First and foremost he made me feel "COOL" and I am so not cool it has been my little secret which I share every now and then and always get the same response..YOU have a tattoo?! I have watched him change over the years - his orange is not so orange but the smile is still there and after 2 babies he is definetly not as perfectly shaped as he was in the beginning ( he is on the lower right side of my stomache next to my pelvic bone). I think about having a touch up done and maybe adding a little girl pumpkin with dimples and a little boy with freckles and a baseball cap, But then it wouldn't be just mine anymore...it would be ours and I like haveing this just for me and I like surprising people with my little secret. So would I do it again? YES YES YES!!!!

Maggie ~ TGHR

7/15/2013 10:51:12 am

You brave girl - full name and all. ;-)

I love your enthusiasm! I hear Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally" in your YES.

So, maybe it is all about placement. And being mine and mine alone.

xo

Body Art

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