May 8, 2006 12:37 PM
My rose tattoo
Someone asked the story of my tattoo. Here it is:
I got my first tattoo in 1969 - a rose on my left ankle.
Barefoot - I never wore shoes in my hippie days - even to my classes at George Mason University) - I stumbled off the dirty sidewalk across the street from the Greyhound Bus Station in Washington DC and into the tattoo parlor where all the sailors went. It was weird and scary, but I was so into creating my special image that it didn't matter.
I returned shortly after for my second tattoo - a butterfly on my right shoulder.
In 1972, I moved to San Francisco with my first husband and daughter Samantha Sunshine to get away from all the radical political activity I'd been involved in (anti-war, feminism, pro-abortion) and found Lyle Tuttle's on 7th Street, where I got the rose on my hand.
Thank God, I never got any others!
Tattoo work today is much finer than it was when mine were done - more an art form and finer work. At this point, mine resemble an old sailor's faded tattoos. I am further embarrassed by them because of all the aging Baby Boomers out there who've begun sporting fresh new tattoos for whatever reason. I don't want to be classed in that category :)
At one time, I considered having the rose tattoo on my hand removed. When I speak to Christian women's groups, it can be a stumbling block for some people and I feel compelled to say I got it in 1972 to explain. But having it removed would involve a lot of pain and scarring, so I have let it remain. Besides, it is a very tangible and daily reminder of all that God has brought me through.
See, when I was in my twenties I was acting out all the emptiness in my soul because I was never anyone's special little girl. I would have done anything to draw attention to myself - to make people notice me and see me as special. Nowadays my tattoo isn't so radical as it was then. But now when I see people with more unusual piercings and mutilations (how about those things they put in their earlobes to make the big holes?), it's like I see into their souls too. The lack of love and belonging will drive you to all kinds of strange behavior.
When Tripp and I went to Focus on the Family for an interview with Dr. Dobson, the first thing he zeroed in on was my tattoo. We were sitting across the table in the studio with him and when the interview began, his first question took me by surprise: "Barbara, our listeners can't see this, but I see a rose tattoo on your hand. I'm sure there's a story behind it."
That's when I really began to appreciate that my tattoo had a special meaning to me. Once I found the love of my Heavenly Father, once I understood I really was special, I didn't need any outer things to prove myself or make people notice me. Ironically, though, 'm stuck with this visible reminder of my past.
I've just chosen to see a positive message in it.
Comments
I have mixed feelings about this post. I guess because I don't see anything unchristian about a tattoo, or that it is always cry for attention. I mean I think some people get tattoos for the same reason they wear their favorite styles of clothing- they think it looks good.
When I saw your tattoo in the picture I didn't think "Wow, she must have been a heathen once". I thought "Oh, neat, thats pretty".
Posted by: paigeu | May 8, 2006 1:18 PM
It's all part of your story. Nothing to be ashamed of. I think that you associate negative feelings with the tattoo because of the place you were in when you got it. But, it's more likely to be a stepping stone to a conversation than it is a stumbling block.
Personally, I'm not a tattoo lover, but I would probably ask you about it if I saw it.
Posted by: whimsy | May 8, 2006 1:37 PM
I agree that it's a touchy subject nowadays, and many do get them for fashion alone. The college group at my church (granted we are in So. Calif! Factor in some geographical wackiness!) has several kids with tatoos- one of our past babysitters had a small one. (She turned out to have more hurt in her life than we knew...)
I would rather that Christians stand out by not having them, especially Christian kids who already have a relationship with God and know their identity in Him. But I do see that often it is the ones who are hurting who tend toward the more extreme piercings/tattoos.
My sister has a few- she's not a Christian- and it never made sense to me how someone already so beautiful would need to add permanent marks/pictures. But I think that the needs to draw attention, to be "different" (tho it really is more conforming than they think!), to be identified somehow may have played a part in choosing a tattoo. I want to remember that before I judge too quickly; these are often those of us who need even more grace and acceptance from the family of God.
Posted by: stacie | May 8, 2006 1:43 PM
I know for some tattoos can be a stumbling block. I accept that.
For me, it is not.
I do have a tattoo. I have a tattoo of my son's footprints from birth. Because he was born 4 months early, these footprints are no bigger than an inch in length. I had this done after our adoption was finalized. I did it as a symbol that he was not born under my heart, but in it as well as a symbol of the emotional rollercoaster that we went through to adopt him It was not unlike a physical pregnancy. I have no doubt in my heart of hearts that my Heavenly father looks at this tattoo of mine and smiles too.
Recently I learned to walk my talk about not making judgements about tattoos because my first born has met who she believes to be The One. He is a wonderfully sweet, loving young man who loves our girl as much as we do. It is apparent the way he interacts with his large family that he was raised in a home filled with love. I can see him treasuring her the way that God intended her to be. But the young man is covered in tattoos and he is a very talented tattoo artist. Some godly folk look at him and they do cringe and gasp. One even went so far as to judge that there was no way he could be a godly man. How sad for her. Because if like me, folks took the time to look past the outward appearance, talk to him and get to know him they soon learn like Samuel did when he anointed David to be King that God does not look on the outside but on the inside.
JMHO
Posted by: Laura | May 8, 2006 4:22 PM
barbara, i just found your blog today, and am inspired by your life.
laura, i loved reading your post.
i also have a tattoo, at the base of my back, which i got on my 35th birthday, a daisy with seven petals, it's pink and yellow.. it has lots of meaning for me and was very cathartic; at that same time hubby got his first, a celtic eternity symbol on the inside of his forearm, it's linked to his heritage and his christian beliefs.
i don't think i would get any more, well... maybe ;o)
Posted by: kate5kiwis | May 8, 2006 8:16 PM
Barbara:
Thanks for sharing. It is amazing how God can take a blemish and make it radiate with beauty for His purposes. Your tattoo is an external mark of what many people carry inside of them of internal blemishes. If you can find meaning and hope in your new life while still carrying signs of your past life, I am sure many others can do this too with their internal tattoos. God Bless you for your transparency.
Posted by: KSMilkmaid | May 8, 2006 11:34 PM
I think you make some very valid points. I do not have any tattoos. I never was brave enough to get something put on my body that would be permanent. It was not the fear of the pain involved, but the fear that I would hate it later in life. I wish I had followed that path with other critical choices in my life that left lasting scars. As a result, I have many hidden scars. Alot of healing has happened over the years, and though the scars aren't visible to the public, I know they are there. sometimes something will happen to aggravate them and bring them back to the surface. In those time, I, like you choose to look at them and thank God for how far he has brought me. What a beautiful post!
Posted by: Cindy | May 9, 2006 4:30 PM
You know me and my husband are pro life and we both have our share of tattoos. In fact he is a tattoo artist with his own shop. We see them as art .You are right some people get them for the wrong reason that is why you should really think of what it is you want on your body for the rest of your life. Everything on my body has its meaning and they are great. We have thought about doing free pro life tattoos for people that want them and I think that is a great message to wear on your body. I think that tattoos get such a bad name because people see them in a bad light because of the past. As my husband says the marks you ware are a insight to the person you are.Some people do not wear good marks but most do. Just a little insight from our side I guess.
Posted by: Crystal | February 9, 2011 11:33 PM
