But our tattoos, my two daughters and I, have a special meaning for us. My son loved the ocean and the beach, as soon as he graduated he moved to Florida to live. He came home in 2008 but always wished to go back to the beach. In fact, he had a trip planned for the day after he died. We each had a different seahorse tattooed on our arms to remember him by, of course we never forget him, maybe commemorate is a better word. When I see women with tattoos I always wonder what it means to them.
Oh, Kathy, I am so sorry about your loss, but also so moved by how you chose to remember your son and what he wanted. There are tattoos and there are tattoos, ya? Some are a rebellious statement, but one that still accords with patriarchal economies. Others carry indelible meaning, as yours do. The worry is that girls will tattoo and pierce in lieu of taking action. You, as a college woman, have taken action, set an example, and been a key contributor to the Gateway and women's culture at Chatham. Tattoos *in* action. In pursuing what you want/need, you also honor your son, yes?
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