Monday, March 23, 2009

Bluebird of Happiness (082/365)

 2009 03 23 IMG_2346  
"When the designs are chosen with care, tattoos have a power and magic all their own.  They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul."

Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration

TIME: 2:25 PM
PLACE:  My bathroom
SUBJECT: Bluebird tattoo

In mythology, the bluebird is the universally acknowledged sign of happiness, prosperity, good health, and the arrival of spring.  Its blue plumage is associated with the sky and eternal happinessWhen Mom  was going through her battle with lymphoma, her sister, my Aunt Alice, purchased bluebird pins for us to wear as a show of support.  I wore mine throughout the 3 years she fought for her life.  In the end, we buried Mom's pin with her.  My pin now sits in my jewelry box, next to the watch she wore at her wedding and her high school class ring.  My sister and I had discussed getting a bluebird tattoo in honor of Mom for the past year or so.  Today, while the kids were at preschool, we went ahead and had it done.  We have it in the same location, behind our left ears.  Mine is hidden for the most part by my hair.   The bird is facing forward - so I can imagine that it is Mom whispering her wisdom & advice into my ear.  Mom was not the biggest fan of tattoos (she just shook her head and sighed when she saw my other one, an Egyptian ankh) but I think she would be honored that we did this in memory of her. 

9 comments:

Dot O said...

I'm so sorry you lost your mom but that is a really neat way to honor her memory.

bentonflocke said...

What a fantastic way to honour your moms memory!!

I´m sorry for your lost. I´ve lost my mom ten years back.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Neat way to memorialize her. That had to have hurt though - I have three of my own.

Sujomi said...

Dot O - Upon further reflection, Mom probably would have said "Why the heck didn't you just plant a tree?" LOL

bentonflocke - My sympathies on the loss of your mother. No matter how long they have been gone, it's still hard.

ETW - Actually, it didn't hurt very much. The feeling was quite similar to when I went to the chiropracter and he used the electrical impluses on my muscles. Plus, it was so small it only took about 5 minutes. Very nifty swifty!

Mari said...

Glad it didn't hurt. It's neat that you are keeping the memory of your Mom alive!

SaraG said...

very cool tattoo!!

Sujomi said...

Mari - I showed my Dad today, he laughed and said that Mom is probably rolling over in her grave!

Sara G - Thanks! I'm almost wanting to get a nest behind the other ear now.

Rich said...

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. This is an amazing beautiful story and a beautiful way to honor your mom and help your soul. It is cool that you and your sister went together. Thanks for sharing this with us and know that although we have never met I am thinking about you and your family and wish you happiness, prosperity, and good health.

breanna said...

(i'm so late...sorry!) love love love love love love love it!!!!