Some don’t bother me nearly as much. I’ve seen some people who have turned their bodies into a work of art. I personally don’t like the medium itself, but I certainly respect the art, the canvas and the cajones it takes to put your voice to any artist medium be it paint, words or skin.

It wasn’t until I read your equation of a tattoo to a scar that I realized I felt identically but had simply never been able to put it to those words. Tattoos are scars for people to collect. I think the thing that cheapens tattoos to me is that most scars are earned while tattoos are merely bought. There are people with tattoos all over their bodies that have simply been collected as so many post card or suitcase stickers, and they’re trying to pretend they’ve lived.

I’m thinking your new tattoo isn’t going to be as new a scar so much as it’s going to be newly visible. This is a well-written piece, and it definitely stands out. Good luck in your continued collecting.

“I want a tattoo, Daddy”
“No, no… I don’t like tattoos.”
“But your arms?” She was confused.
“Tattoos never go away. They tell about who you used to be and sometimes people change.”
The little girl traced a bird on his forearm “I think you used to be very beautiful.”

Good luck today. I hope it is everything you want and more.

From reading your posts over the years, I’ve gotten an impression that you are moderately religious. Given that, how do you feel about that fact with a tattoo, you cannot be buried in jewish cemetary? Or the fact that the religion prohibits desecrating your body in anyway… I ask, because I battled with the same thought (me being muslim) before totally covering up both my shoulders with tattoos of people I have lost over the years…. although – I am totally not religious, so I didn’t have to battle much :)

The only symbol/image that I’d consider would be the name of my daughter. A father is the only thing I’ll always be.