I never thought I would get a tattoo. I use to dislike them because I associated them with "wild" motorcycle riders or people in gangs. But then I started meeting people and getting to know them. It reminded me of a verse in the Bible that says that man sees the outside, but God sees their heart. I guess it is our human nature to dislike what we don't know and understand. Sometimes we even dislike ourselves or parts of ourselves. I know that in my mind, I wanted to be "perfect" but there is no such thing as perfect. But being human, I was chasing after something for the wrong reason. It took me most of my life to figure that no matter how hard I tried, I would never be perfect according to my standards. In the process, I put myself in a box of controlled behavior, holding my emotions in, less I showed imperfections I perceived like weakness. With that mentality, I would always set myself up for failure. Trying to be good and perfect to please others to feel loved is chasing after the wind. It wasn't until I totally understood the love of God, his love for me, that I could let go of being perfect. Only God is perfect and thankfully, He loves us regardless of our imperfections. Once I understood that, I started to let go of trying to be perfect. I missed out on several opportunities because I was so afraid of failing. Or I spent hours trying to get something just right. I still do in a certain things, but I don't beat myself up the way I use too. I don't have to try to be like someone I am not. It takes trust in God to embrace His love for you and then feel free to be the real you. Okay, so the real me has a "wild side" It makes me think of the free spirit I was as a child. Though I am almost 57, there is still a kid in me that sees good in things that I thought were "bad" I am sure that as we grow older and gain more insight and wisdom, we realize to let go of things.

Okay, now for the story of the tattoo. I had been entertaining the idea of a tattoo for several years. Ever since Pam did her butterflies with the cross inside the butterfly, I knew I wanted one. I just did not know where I wanted it but I knew if I got one, I wanted to be able to see it. Then a couple of months before going to Maui, I decided I would get my tattoo in Maui, the ultimate souvenir. So I went into the Skin Deep Tattoo in Lahaina and asked lots of questions. My husband was with me and he said the place looked very clean. I told them what time I could do it and they told me what they had available. They said I would have Tony who had 17 years of experience, and they showed me his display books. They explained that Hawaii had some of the strictest health codes when it came to tattooing. I decided I wanted a shaded design with no color and I knew I wanted a Plumeria flower. I made my appointment, went swimming for a few hours and then my sister Terry and I went to the Tattoo shop. Our tour driver in Maui told us to wear it on the left if you were married and right if you were single, so I got it on the left ankle.

I really like the tattoo when it was finished. I asked for shading because it gave more depth to the tattoo. I do like color, but wanted it simple. I still want my butterfly and that will have color. As the tattoo was healing, I realized that the some of the shading extended outside of that tattoo. For some reason I thought it would wash off. When I was in Hawaii, I was always picking up plumerias looking for the "perfect one" to wear in my hair. But more than the look of it was the fragrance. Then it seemed like God was talking to me, reminding me that there is nothing perfect. God was showing me that beauty exist in imperfections when seen through the eyes of God. The tattoo artist Tony drew the flower freehand. His artistry is a gift from God. God created me and with all my imperfections, I am beautiful in His eyes. So now when I see my tattoo, I smile because I think of all the beauty God has created for our pleasure. I have a souvenir of great memories and reminder of who I am.

Here are some pictures my sister took that I displayed at my Hawaii 2012 site.

Tony cleaned my ankle, then drew a plumeria on my ankle for me to check out.


I was surprised that the tattooing did not hurt like I thought it would.
Tony explained how he was an artist and that computer graphics was taking
over. So he decided to display his art on real people. He is doing well.




Terry took the pictures and kept asking me how I was doing.


Tony asking Terry if she wants a tattoo too.....Not today!...


All set with a heart bandage. Care instructions given.


Saying goodbye to Tony and all.



My Tattoo story.
Background by me