Favorite Things, Grief, Life, Universe

tat girl

Kari

i had no tattoos seven months ago and now i have two.

one day in march, anna and i were discussing what we would get if we ever got tattoos. i couldn’t think of anything. then, as we were talking, something popped into my head. 

a peace sign made with fingers.

it made me think of my childhood best friend. when we were in high school, we used to pose for pictures by making peace signs with our fingers.

at the end of high school i was a bit of a hippie (hence, the peace sign fingers). then i stopped being a hippie for a long time. but in the last three years, i’ve evolved into a hippie again. it feels like a circle, but it’s only a semicircle because one of us is missing.

after that phone call with anna, i started seeing peace sign fingers everywhere.

including in my instagram feed. my local favorite plant shop was hosting a “flash tat” event in which a local female-owned tattoo shop offered only specific tattoo designs.

a peace sign finger was one of them.

it felt like the universe was taunting me in the best way.

i get a lot of compliments on my tattoo. it really is pretty cool. and i get to talk about my friend when people ask what it represents, which has helped with my grief. that is something i never expected.

i bet the universe did.

i never imagined getting another tattoo. until i discovered the plant shop was hosting another flash tat event, and my tattoo artist was going to be there again.

while working on my first tattoo, my artist told me that once a person gets a tattoo, they become addicted to it.

but i wanted to reconnect with the universe. a little game of manifesting tag. which is also addictive. i decided that i wanted to get an eye tattoo. an all-seeing eye, an evil eye, an intuitive eye. it could mean a variety of things, but i wanted it to primarily represent my soul homework journey, which has changed my life.

i wouldn’t get a tattoo if it wasn’t on the sheet. as simple as that.

you’re it, universe!

a few days later, the design sheet was released:

it looks like i have a tattoo artist for life 🖤

when I told her the story, it blew her mind a little. there was also a cool energetic thing that happened in the room while she was working on my tattoo. mike was also there and he felt it too.

i love it.

i didn’t fill the silence while she worked on it, something i used to do before my eyes were opened. i closed my eyes and let the artist work her magic.

and now, whenever someone asks me what this represents, i get to tell them. 💕

do you have any tattoos?

Discover more from A Grace Full Life

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

66 thoughts on “tat girl”

  2. Considering needles anywhere near skin make me feel nauseous (or is the correct word nauseated?), no I will never have a tattoo, just like I’ve never had my ears pierced. People don’t realize that it can be a real phobia.

    That said, I’m glad for YOU! Both tats are so unique and have wonderful stories behind them.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Those are some seriously cool tats. I adore almost beyond words that you said “…and my tattoo artist was going to be there.” Made me smile to know that you have your own tattoo artist. And in answer to your question, I have no tattoos.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I have heard that about tats too; that they get addictive. While I enjoy seeing others tattoos and hearing the stories behind them I have never wanted to get one myself.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Kari, your peace sign TAT is cool indeed!

    And so is your second one, the third eye. And I love that it’s only an outline and has no color.

    And yes, I have a tattoo that I got many years ago. I think it was around 1984. I went with two guys I worked with at the time and we each got one.

    Mine is a little red devil in shorts, with horns and a pitch fork (just like me) – LOL!

    My tattoo artist said the same, that once I got one I would become addicted. But I never did. For me, one was enough.

    FUN post! See, that’s another thing you and I have in common – TATS!

    X

    P.S. I also have my left ear pierced (two holes). I was a such a rebel in the 80s LOL! Ooooo…and I also wore platform shoes in the 70s!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you! I love it.

      I WANT TO SEE YOURS! And yes, exactly like you! ❤️😘

      I think I’ll get one more and that will be enough, but I can see why people become addicted.

      I love how much we have in common!

      You were and still are a rebel! It’s the reason we get along so well! 😘❤️

      Like

  7. I got 3 of em. A blue sea turtle..which represents me. What was supposed to be the chinese character for strength both of which I got after my Mom died, turned out to a permenent cruel joke by the tattoo shop (partially my fault because I didn’t do my homework) which stands for “Little field pig” so I decided to get a 3rd tattoo of a Samuri Pig named Sato-Ino from the comic Usagi Yojimbo.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I love both your stories. I am so glad you are finding peace in your story with your friend. That photo of the two of you really gets me in the feels.

    I dont have any tattoos, but i never say never. (My daughter says this is because I’m a Sagittarius.) :-)

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Love both of your tattoos and the meaning behind them! I want to know about this “energetic thing” that you and Mike felt in the room when you were getting your tat.

    As you know, I don’t have any tattoos ~ too chicken to get one myself. I’ll admire them on other people for now. <3

    Liked by 1 person

    1. In the basement, there were two tattoo artists, one assistant, another girl getting a tattoo, and Mike. Everyone was chatting, and there was a lot of noise coming from above us at the plant shop. Then a song comes on their stereo, a really pretty song that I’ve never heard before and wish I could remember the name of. During the song, everyone went silent except for the sound of the tattoo pens. My artist even mentioned how the energy in the room felt very synergetic. I didn’t even notice because I was in my own zen state. When we got to the car, Mike mentioned feeling the energy in the room when she said it. I think we had visitors in the room that day. Either that, or I accidentally performed reiki on everyone. 🤣🤣

      This one hurt while she was doing it, I’ll admit. Piercing my nose was still far more painful.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. When you said you wanted to get an eye tattoo, I literally cringed. And then I realized you meant a tattoo of an eye. Whew! Much less painful.

    No, I do not have any tats myself. Yet. I’ve wanted one for years, but have no idea what to get. I can say, kinda-hippie that I am, a peace sign has always been on the list of possibilities. I love yours!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. I’m not a big fan of tattoos, but I’m a big fan of you!
    Your artwork is lovely and meaningful—-I adore how the universe gave you signs, directions and insight.
    I’ll have to send you a pic of Lolo’s tiny (pure sarcasm) tattoo that made my jaw drop!! It’s a lot.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Kari, what a remarkable series of events led to your getting tattoos. I’ve only the two green dots which were used for marking the boundaries of my post-cancer radiotherapy treatment. I did consider making the one on my breastbone into something more, but I dithered about it so long that it never happened! I love the significance that your tattoos have :)

    Liked by 1 person

  21. What an amazing story! If ever there was a blessing from the Universe, that was it. I understand that every tat has a story to go with it. I don’t have any, but my daughter is thinking about getting a frog tattoo. She hasn’t told me what it represents to her … yet. So, have you thought about your third and what you think you’ll get? Mona

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Mona! 😘

      I love that your daughter is thinking about getting a tattoo of a frog! I’d love to know what it means if she tells you. ❤️

      I’m thinking about getting child’s pose, which is my favorite yoga pose. It helped with my healing. I’m not sure how that will look as a tattoo, so it could be a long time before I get it, but whenever it comes, it comes! I’m not in a hurry. ❤️

      Like

  22. Your tattoos are beautiful, Kari. I don’t have any, but I totally get the significance they can have, and I love the significance of yours. And I admire tattoo artists so much! As someone who loves to draw, I can’t even imagine having the skill to draw on people’s skin permanently! Your tattoo artist is very skilled! I’ve had two people ask if they could use my artwork for their tattoos! It’s the most odd feeling to think that someone wanted what I drew put onto their body! Especially since both the drawings were of cartoon-style cows!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Michelle! She is a gifted artist. I love them.

      I love that someone used your artwork as tattoos! What an incredible honor, my friend! Your artwork will be imprinted on another person for the rest of their lives. That’s badass. ❤️😘

      Like

  23. Wow! That eye tattoo is awesome, Kari. Love it. The peace sign one is great, too. Very timely, like, in terms of forever. I like the peace sign finger-scissors one, too… clever!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Both tattoos are great, and I love that your peace sign tattoo is a sort of therapy for you regarding your friend. That is extra. The 3rd eye tattoo is beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. You are such an inspiration! And so brave! It’s interesting that these tattoos have connected you to others in terms of comfort and support. What a fabulous journey this life continues to be. Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

  26. I love meaningful tattoos—yours are fabulous. Watch out though, it is indeed a slippery slope. I started with one very significant tattoo (Star Trek Communicator Badge, shared with my son and ex), and then I went hog wild. Forest on my back, branches and birds on my arm, squid swimming around my leg. I too feel a connection with the artist, and I’m lucky I found her when I did. Hang on to yours!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Greeting reading list for when your stuck prone for tat: Novels featuring heroes with tattoos:

    1. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson
    2. “Ink and Bone” by Lisa Unger
    3. “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris
    4. “Shiver” by Maggie Stiefvater
    5. “Deep Water” by L. Rambit
    6. “The Truth About Forever” by Sarah Dessen
    7. “Tattooed Hearts” by Mika Jolie
    8. “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
    9. “The Bone Season” by Samantha Shannon
    10. “Clockwork Angel” by Cassandra Clare

    Liked by 1 person

  28. I have 2..a small sun and moon. That represents my kids. One was born in the morning, the other at night. The other tattoo is the number 161 followed by a heart. That is the address # of my childhood home..an homage to my parents and the best upbringing ever! I have the perfect memories in that house. My next one will be given to me by my son who will become a tattoo artist. Not sure of that design yet…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Mine were born at night and in the morning! I love this idea; it’s so special. I also love the house number. I read your blog post and shared it with my mom, and now she wants to get a tattoo like that with her and my dad’s anniversary date.

      I’m excited that your son is becoming a tattoo artist! We always tell my youngest daughter that she would make an excellent tattoo artist because she’s such a talented artist.

      I believe the perfect design will come to you in time.❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We have a lot in common…lol. I am honored that your Mom likes the idea! My son is talented too! He finished his portfolio and is looking for an apprenticeship..in Chicago! Both my kids live there! These young kids need to use their talent.

        Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.