New Ink

i spent this afternoon bonding with my sister. not over lattes and pedicures. but over needles and ink....

for those of you who haven't heard of it, there is a movement known as "project semicolon" that started a few years ago.

http://www.projectsemicolon.com

to summarize, a woman began this movement to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention. to help those struggling with the decision to keep living to find the strength to keep going. in grammar, a semicolon is a place where a sentence COULD end; but continues.

when someone is questioning whether to continue their life, they are encouraged to draw a semicolon on themselves. to look at it and say "my life is this sentence, and it will continue".

many have gone further and have had the semicolon tattooed as a permanent reminder to keep...going....keep....living.  others have gotten the tattoo as a memorial to those who have lost that struggle.

i will never stop grieving over the loss of my dear, sweet, amazing and wonderful nephew max. when he chose to take his own life. when he chose to end his sentence. it is a pain i carry in my heart that is every bit as permanent as a tattoo. so is the love i will always have for my dear maxwell.

i took the semicolon and added wings to it, to make it a dragon fly. (my mom always told me i was a dragon fly. a creature that could never stay in one place for long.)

it's a simple design, but one of hope. and of remembrance. i've got him tucked behind my ear. a little "bug in my ear" to tell me to keep faith and persevere.

i also got this little guy. not only for my love of greyhounds, but my inspiration to keep running. now, to be clear. when i say i've been "running"....i don't mean graceful leggy strides. i want you to picture a turtle trying to meander it's way through molasses on a cold day. that's how i "run". but i am out there on the trail. and as slow as i am, it's still faster than if i was on the couch. so when i want to quit and go back to the couch? i look at this sleek creature and keep running. (it is now that i must point out the irony, that my actual greyhound? is most definitely at home snoozing on the couch while i am out huffing and puffing. she takes her retirement very seriously)

if you are ever in need of a tattoo artist in baltimore? i highly recommend charlie foos at read st. he's about the most gentle tattoo artist there is. and believe me, that is a trait you want!!