Originally Posted by jordanna (Post 3317613)

oh my goodness Carla - I am so terribly sorry to hear about your sister and mum. My heart goes out to you. I think tattoos are an amazing way to pay tribute to loved ones.

My Ohana tattoo is for my dog who passed away because:


We used to go on these long walks as a family and Lola (the lab) and Dustin would get so far ahead of us and when she would notice that Pugsley and I were dragging far behind she would plunk her butt down and wouldn't budge until we caught up.

We always said it was "ohana" because ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten

So once Pugsley passed away I got that tattoo so he would never be left behind.

The tattoo I'm going to get going forward is for my little guy, who had a rough start to his life. They told us to prepare for the worst because he just wasn't going to make it, and for almost 2 weeks we hoped and prayed for him to make it and then he took a turn for the better and never looked back. Those times were the hardest I've ever faced in my life and I think it was God making sure we really wanted to adopt the little guy and to make sure we would stay by him no matter what.

The three little birds in the tattoo are because one night I decided to leave the hospital for the first time in over a week and on the way home my husband and I broke down in tears because everything was so overwhelming, and suddenly out of the blue on a radio station that NEVER plays reggae music, the song Three Little Birds came on and it made us feel better. The next day we went in and that was the day he started doing better...and I think that song was a gift from God letting us know that our prayers had been answered and our little guy was going to make it.

Originally Posted by SylvieG (Post 3318310)

So I can be who I want to be!

Originally Posted by showgirlaz (Post 3317602)

Jordanna and Roz:

I have a whole new image of both of you!! :) I love the idea of marking momentous times with something permanent like body art.

I got my tatoo 8 years ago when I got out of a relationship that I felt took my spirit away. As a reminder and, because I love cats, I have a Tigers face inside of a tribal heart. I look at it and I remember to be independent.

I have been looking at a few new tatoo images for later. I love dragonflies and phoenix birds. Both are about rebirth and transformation. If my understanding is right, dragonflies are the only creature that lives its life both under/in water and then as part of earth and air. I have thought of having one above a lotus blossom tattooed on my low back.

My sister, Heather ( she passed away 5 years ago) loved frogs and my mother (she died the same day in the same accident) loved hummingbirds so, I have been trying to think of a small garden design with all parts in it sort of as a part of them and me. I sure wish Heather were here to help with it! She use to design tatoos for friends. She had tribal cuffs on her ankles, a celtic snake on the top of her right foot, a sun/moon yinyang on the top of her left foot, and a GIANT celtic knot design (she created it) on her whole back. She designed a fantasy scene for a friend of hers. It has a castle, unicorn, fairies, flowers, butterflies and other stuff. She was good at the art.

Originally Posted by jordanna (Post 3317613)

oh my goodness Carla - I am so terribly sorry to hear about your sister and mum. My heart goes out to you. I think tattoos are an amazing way to pay tribute to loved ones.

My Ohana tattoo is for my dog who passed away because:

I had a pug for 15 years and he was getting so old. My husband was worried that my dog was going to pass away while he was out of town and I would be sad and alone so he got me a Black Lab puppy to join our family so I wouldn't be alone if Pugsley passed away.

We used to go on these long walks as a family and Lola (the lab) and Dustin would get so far ahead of us and when she would notice that Pugsley and I were dragging far behind she would plunk her butt down and wouldn't budge until we caught up.

We always said it was "ohana" because ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten

So once Pugsley passed away I got that tattoo so he would never be left behind.

...I know it's not nearly as significant as a tribute to your mum and sister, but it is significant none the less :)

The tattoo I'm going to get going forward is for my little guy, who had a rough start to his life. They told us to prepare for the worst because he just wasn't going to make it, and for almost 2 weeks we hoped and prayed for him to make it and then he took a turn for the better and never looked back. Those times were the hardest I've ever faced in my life and I think it was God making sure we really wanted to adopt the little guy and to make sure we would stay by him no matter what.

The three little birds in the tattoo are because one night I decided to leave the hospital for the first time in over a week and on the way home my husband and I broke down in tears because everything was so overwhelming, and suddenly out of the blue on a radio station that NEVER plays reggae music, the song Three Little Birds came on and it made us feel better. The next day we went in and that was the day he started doing better...and I think that song was a gift from God letting us know that our prayers had been answered and our little guy was going to make it.

Originally Posted by xanthia (Post 3318196)

motiv8edmama, I have a backpiece (my icon) and it hurts, but in the end it it so worth it!!

Originally Posted by SylvieG (Post 3318310)

So I can be who I want to be!

Originally Posted by Aunt Sheshie (Post 3319062)

:

:flow2: I've promised a picture of myself to an old boyfriend - we haven't seen each other in 40 years - & I'd love for him to think I was definitely the one who got away!

Originally Posted by showgirlaz (Post 3318785)

That is beautiful Sylvie! Is it yours now? Or one you are planning?

Originally Posted by SylvieG (Post 3320384)

It has been mine since last January, as a tribute to my 60-less pounds! Am a little over -90 now, hoping to reach 100!!

The white lily was a flower in my wedding bouquet, 11 years ago. The feather represents freedom that I decided to allow myself by loosing this weight and the lily, the fact that I now feel like come into blossom!

Originally Posted by xanthia (Post 3320092)

Aw thanks! Nope. 20 hours total, not too bad. However, it was 11 hrs at a time then 9 hours. At least my artist works fast ;)

Originally Posted by motiv8edmama (Post 3319696)

It sounds like your sister was a beautiful person. I think to design beautiful things a person must have an inner beauty. I am sorry for your loss and think it would be amazing for you to have a tribute to your mom and sister on you. I also love the idea of the independent tiger!

Originally Posted by showgirlaz (Post 3320624)

The backpiece is very nice. Is it wings of a bird? The colors are quite vibrant!

Originally Posted by showgirlaz (Post 3320624)

Thank you! Yes, she was! She still has a way of keeping me going, even though she isn't here. I have 2 other sisters besides Heather but she was my "secret keeper". You know, the sister you share everything with, the one that has your back, will keep mom from learning too much... all that??? She was my girl. Younger than me by 4 years but did everything first! She lived out loud, was a genius (really), didn't let other people influence her unless she was sure they were right, totally sensitive and empathetic to others, and very loving. It took her awhile to settle down in life and find a path she wanted to follow. When she did find it, she was working to be a pediatric dentist. She had 2 years left to go. My father set up a scholarship at the college in her name as a tribute to her ambitions; it funds a few future doctors or hygienist each school year. It is still growing, every year we fund it a little more, so who knows how many will eventually be touched by her life.

Heather wasn't a skinny girl late in her life. As a youngster she was, 5'11.5" and a size 4 around 118 pounds, Model trim. Later she developed thryoid cancer (age 26), before and as a result of treatment she gained so much weight. She was always trying to lose it. Despite the weight she had this silly routine when she put lotion on each day. As she put on the lotion she would say, "I love my body. I love my body." We all would laugh, so did she, to hear it. But, that is a bit of a motivator for me. I do "love my body" and I want to do the best I can to treat it well, that means not destroying it with food/fat. She had no choice after the thyroid cancer, her body wasn't performing right, I wish she'd had this diet option! But, I have a choice and losing this weight is me making that choice.

Originally Posted by motiv8edmama (Post 3321616)

I don't have a sister, but she sure sounds like a fun one. I am glad she was able to experience so much in life before it ended so shortly for her. It is so nice of your family to help others achieve their goals and help make their dreams come true.

You are doing amazing on this diet. I know how you feel wishing your family had this option. My mom is around 340 and my brother, 35 yo, is 477. I have tried to get him to move in with me so he can do this with me, but he has bi-polar and I think his medication has him in a state of somberness where he is not overly concerned about anything. Very sad as he has always been the life of the party, very funny and fun to be around. I always think if he could get that weight off that some of his depression and other MH symptoms may be less severe for him. I try not to nit pick him about it, but it is scary for me as I had an uncle die who was 600+ lbs and just had too many residual health issues as a result of his weight. I am scared and sad for my brother, and hope by taking care of me and continue to let him know he is wanted here he will eventually want to move in. My mom is on nutrisystem and is doing okay, she has to have total knee replacements so has to get some off fast, hopefully after that and draining her savings, she'll decide to join me.