I've always been around tattooed people - my dad for one is quite decorated. It has never made me feel differently about people or situations - just their choice and I'm cool with that. People with or without tattoos are just people to me.
I don't have Mr. B's name tattooed on me, but I do have my alter ego on my wrist. Not because I might forget my name, but just because I wanted to!
My newest tattoo means more than I could ever tell you - I'll write you a story about it one day.
I'm in double figures for the amount of tattoos I have - am I worried? Do I regret any of them? The simple answer is no! Do I think people who don't have tattoos are strange? Or should have them? Hell no, personal choice is a wonderful thing.
People sometimes ask questions about my tattoos such as - why did you have a specific something done or what does it mean to you etc? But today's questions were a little obtuse.
'What does your tattoo mean' is always a tricky one or why did you have it done. I then start feeling I ought to make up stories behind my tattoos! Some of them I had for specific events - my Alice in Wonderland piece was for my 30th, I'm a big fan and had a Mad Hatters tea party - my tattoo totally symbolises that and what a memory. We're all mad here!
Picture & Tattoo by Tim Childs at Southsea Tattoo Company.
My flowers on my foot, Nanny drew - but that wasn't the reason I wanted or had them. I liked them and went for it. Nanny was alive and kicking then, so in no way a memorial tattoo.
I love this song, the lyrics are beautiful and I could apply it to many parts of my life or people. But should I, just to make people understand?
Tattoo by Pamela Green at ABH tattoos at a tattoo convention. https://www.facebook.com/ABH-Tattooing-174251212607814/
Tattoo by Christine at Dinos tattoos at a tattoo convention. https://www.facebook.com/Dinos-Tattooist-Ltd-336751280200/
But I have lots of others as well that mean literally - not a great deal, just I liked and wanted them.
Today I was told the other person couldn't dream of having a tattoo because they wouldn't want it to define them, and how did I feel about that? I'm not defined by my tattoos, I'm Sammy or Mrs. B with tattoos or without tattoos. Had I have worn trousers or long sleeves today, I simply would've behaved in exactly the same way and still been me - these tattoos made no difference whatsoever!
I was also told that this other person couldn't have a tattoo because their life is fluid and always changing, they wouldn't want something to remind them of their past, how possibly could I?
How sad is that? My past has made me who I am today. I don't regret much; I don't wish it hadn't happened, my past shaped me into who I am today - how awful is it to feel like you can't relive or be reminded of your past, no matter how painful it is. I have lived my life so far, no matter what bad things have happened and I'm proud I've come out the other side. But at the same time, if I had no tattoos - I wouldn't not remember them, I wouldn't not have let them shape me. It totally makes no odds.
I was also asked why I would have tattoos on my lower legs where people could see them. I have a few answers to this - Why not? Where else? What if I had no other space? Seriously again, my legs???
Today's questions really made me think about my inkings, it also totally re-enforced in my mind why I have tattoos.
Because I want them and it's my body, my choice.
So by all means; admire them, dislike them, ask me questions, talk about them with me - but don't judge, I'm not asking you to understand it or even partake yourself.
They're mine - not yours.
Your body is a canvas, what you choose to decorate it with, perforate it with or dress it with is totally up to you and quite simply, you rock. Whatever your reasons for whatever you do - who cares, you body is yours and no one else's.
TTFN, Sammy xx
