My Tatoo

As I am procrasinating packing for Pigeon Forge, I was thinking about my last trip there. It has been several years since we have been with the kids but I was there with my girl friends in March of 2007. It was on that trip that I got my tatoo. Yes I was sober and yes it was planned. I had been wanting this particular tatoo since I was 18 and my mom wouldn't let me and I finally decided I would do it to remind me of my friends and to remind me that I'm not dead yet. It was me and Nicki, Laura, Cary and Meg. Poor Laura, we embarassed her to death, dragging her into a tatoo shop - but she did it for me. I wanted a tatoo of a violet, just like Cary's on my ankle, where I could always see it. I was excited but nervous so my body was jerking a little (thanks to HD) and the guy was afraid he was going to mess up. He finally found a good hold on my foot and was able to hold it still. My hands were still jerking a little, and Laura held them still while I got my tatoo. It still makes me smile when I see it. It reminds me of great friends. Friends that I truly believe would love me no matter what I told them. There is a group of about 10 of us that were sorority sisters when we were in college but it goes way beyond that now. We are as different as you can imagine, but when we get together, it's like nothing has changed. They don't care that I can't answer questions quick anymore - or even remember the question! They make me laugh with the stories of their lives. We have sleepovers. They meet me for lunch and they send e-mails and cards. We have a 25th anniversary to look forward to and hopefully Homecoming if I get up the nerve! I am truly blessed to have these friends. They remind me to live - that I'm not dead yet! I love each one of them very much. That is why my tatoo is very special. When you know you're dying, you don't really care what everybody else thinks as much. :)