PonderEthereal

I have a tattoo on my lower back. I got it right after I turned 19. I drew it. An old guy who smoked too much weed and had a shaky hand tattooed it while my two best friends and my boyfriend, at the time looked on. I think I buried my face in my sweatshirt through the whole thing. I’ve never regretted that tattoo - but for a long time, I’ve really regretted that he did such a crap job on it. It faded really badly and his shaky-ass lines became obvious as years wore on. I’ve been getting the itch to get it redone for a while and yesterday, I finally did.

I don’t remember it hurting that much. Or maybe I’m just an old lady now and am therefore a wuss. I got REALLY light headed twice and he had to stop to let me lay down. But we got through it in about an hour. I drove home feeling like I might just pass out. I really shouldn’t have been driving. But I made it home and it quit hurting after a couple hours. I slept on it last night and this morning, it didn’t bother me a bit.

When I showered last night, I didn’t wash it. Today, I still had tattoo ink smears on my back and in the pic, you can see it at the bottom of my shirt. All part of an experience I have enjoyed. I sat on the edge of the tub today, with a hand mirror propped up on the opposite edge so that I could see it. I gingerly washed it with the shower head turned down low and mild medicated soap on the tip of my fingers. Black ink that was left on my skin swirled down the drain. When it was dry, I gently covered it with a sheen of vitamin E and helichrysum oil. Vitamin e oil and helichrysum is like a wonder healer combo.

I’ve been wearing hello Kitty knit pj pants and a really soft thermal shirt since last night. I’ve been laying on my side on the couch all day with my legs and the front of my torso snuggled under a blanket. It gives me a reason to lay down and just rest.

I’m really glad I got it redone. I’m proud of it again and I cherish how much a part of me it is. This tattoo is all about me. It is me. I don’t know how I knew how well it was me when I was so young… but I did. I’m in love with it again. This is what I needed right now.