Tats

This sunday I will be getting a tattoo. Its kind of a big deal for me because it is such a departure from my culture, the place I live, how I was raised, etc. I'm very excited for it but I think my conservative friends don't approve.

I am going to get a tree on my left ankle. The reason I chose a tree is because I've always felt a connection to trees. To me, trees seem to have a quiet majesty about them. Big or small, they stand as sentinels looking at the movement of life, without judgement. I have to admit that I really aspire to that. One of routes I run in the area I live in, has a row of very tall trees. When I run by them, I can feel their benevolent and peaceful energy. Its always very comforting. The best is when there is a full moon. Where the streetlights don't invade, the moonlight will blanket these trees, the road and me. It makes me so connected to nature; not merely a traveller through it.

I want to get a live oak with three roots going down, and lots of twisty branches coming off a main trunk. For me the symbolism is that each root represents my love for my family, my love for my friends, and my connection to spirit/God (these things are what keeps me grounded). The body of the tree is my life and twisty branches represents all the twists and turns my life takes. Although individually they may look a little messy, taken as a whole it is beautiful (just like life is).