inked again

last night, Doug and i did one of our most favoritest things to do - but before we did THAT, we got new ink! glorious, beautiful, painful ink!

before i met Doug, i had never even thought about getting a tattoo, but after seeing his passion for his own ink, and discovering more about myself, i fell in love with it too.. and now, 2 1/2 years later, i have 8 tattoos.. and can't wait til the next one..

each one is very meaningful to me.. the first one i got was Doug's name stamped on my ass.. it's the most significant and wonderful gift he has ever given to me.. one i will treasure forever..

and the ones i have gotten since each have their special meanings.. i love each one of them.. be assured i don't go lightly into that good tattoo shop..

i feel very connected to the two tattoos i got last night..

my first one is a rememberance of 9/11.. i know every single one of us as Americans, and probably just as citizens of the world, can remember exactly where we were and what we were doing on that terrible day four (four??? how did time pass so quickly?) years ago.. and i know each and every one of us were changed instantly; affected on a personal level, as well as on a national level, in a way probably no other event has been dealt to us in our lifetimes.. i wanted a permanant mark on my body, just as there is in my heart, to show rememberance and to honor those who lost their lives under the hand of the terrorists.. a reminder that we are united and strong, that we will never forget.. the tattoo is on the inside of my right wrist, and is a heart with the stars and stripes in it; a scroll with Sept 11, 2001 over it.. it's a simple tattoo with complex meaning.. i am forever proud to be an American, and now, everyone can see that part of me..

Doug also got a 9/11 tattoo.. his is on the inside of his left wrist, and is a powerful tattoo (just as my Man is powerful), inspired by the "don't tread on me" snake which is coiled and ready to attack, with the date 9-11-01 underneath.. it is in a classic style, and is a compelling reminder to us all of our strength as the U.S.A.

my second tattoo is even far more precious to me.. it is dedicated to my two wonderful sons.. they are now 20 and 15.. both growing up way too quickly.. the tattoo is on the inside of my left wrist which connects to my heart, and shows two hearts together with their names on them.. the hearts are surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms.. Doug told me that to the Samurai the cherry blossom symbolize how the nature of life is so fleeting; how life is beautiful, but also how transient.. when he told me this, i thought of my blossoming children, and how we as parents only have charge over them for a short time, and then they are on their own.. i have already seen my oldest go out on his own, and he's doing pretty well - some ups and downs, but really doing ok.. and i only have a few more years before the youngest will be out on his own too.. i will always love this reminder on my skin, of how i have been so blessed with two amazing sons, and how for a short time, it was them and me against the world.. and now i get to see them grow and mature into men, conquering the world on their own terms..

i love my tattoos.. every one of them.. each moment of agony that was endured.. each minute under the needle.. they are reminders of who i am - definitely not the norm, but decidedly me..