I have wanted a tattoo since I was in high school. I have a lot to say (obviously), and a tattoo is a way to express myself in a permanent way.
        I have always had one major problem: tattoos are expensive. Putting something permanent on my body and possibly having errors or regrets is not made any better by being able to say that I got it on sale. I want to do my research and find the artist who will do the work I want in the best way possible. I want to know that the shop is clean and reputable. I need to be able to trust that this person is a good business owner who will charge me fairly for his/her work. But once I know that they are well-known for pricing honestly, I don't want to worry about the dollar amount.
        So, where to get this money? Why not write a book? I certainly did not start out writing my book hoping to make money to pay for an ink curiosity. However, a crazy moment arises when you're making change for a fifty dollar bill with cash you have on hand from book sales and you realize that you have extra money as a result of your book. Make no mistake, I'm not quitting my day job any time soon, but it was somehow a pleasant surprise to find that there was a trickle of cash finding its way into my wallet.
        I did my research (thank you FaceBook), made my appointment, and got the tattoo pictured above. It's based on the short story The Last Leaf, by O. Henry, which is one of my favorites (Unfamiliar? You're missing out! Read it online here). I love my tattoo, and I've learned some things. Let me share.

1. Commitment can be a rush
        I do not fashion myself to be an adrenaline junkie. I don't jump out of airplanes or enjoy extreme sports (or even, for that matter, enjoy roller coasters). But I can totally understand people who say that they are "addicted" to tattoos. Calling to schedule a consultation was exhilarating, and then meeting with my "tattoo guy" was one of the more exciting things I've done. He was knowledgeable and kind and talked through what I wanted and asked me some questions. We scheduled a final appointment for that weekend, and I walked out of his shop with my heart racing. After getting the work done, my husband joked that my new tattoo was more permanently in my life than he was. It can be a huge surge of adrenaline to make a permanent change like that.

2. Tattoos can be a self-fulfilling prophecy on your body
        My tattoo speaks to a belief that I hold dearly: that the greatest way to leave lasting impact on the world is to invest in other people. But putting that idea permanently on my body took it from a fun concept to something I'm advertising forever. It makes me more aware of what I do and whether I'm living up to the tattoo. It does influence the way I think and act at times, and I like the change.

3. Some things still take time
        The actual work of the tattoo took all of about 45 minutes. To be honest, it was almost anti-climatic how quickly it was over with. My "tattoo guy" went over basic care and maintenance, told me what to expect in terms of healing, and I nodded at all the right times, but I wasn't really listening. I knew that if anything went really wrong, I could stop back in and ask him for help, and I was busy enjoying looking at his work. Then I found out that what nobody warns you about tattoos is the ITCHING. For about two weeks, while it healed, the itching was fabulous. And you're not supposed to actually itch it. This morning, as I was putting on some sandals (bought specifically to show off the beauty on my foot), I noticed that some spots of the ink were still a bit raised, meaning that there are some places still healing. STILL?! And then, I realized that this was something that was going to be on my body for the rest of my life. In perspective, one month isn't much. I'd like to think that I'm mature and have an attention span longer than a gnat, but this has helped me understand that I still have some work to do in that department.

4. More people have tattoos than I thought
        When I was pregnant, I kept noticing all of the pregnant people. It seemed like an epidemic. The same phenomenon has occurred with my tattoo. I'm now noticing the little, black mark teasing out from under the t-shirt of the guy stocking the shelves at the grocery store, then there's the cursive lettering I can't quite make out on the wrist of the girl next to me in the doctor's office, and on and on and on. Not all of the people with tattoos are advertising it - I was complimented by some people I work with who complimented me and casually mentioned their own tattoo experience, even though I hadn't had any idea that they had anything. I wasn't sure if I experienced some societal outcry for my "rebellious" decision, but I've received only positive feedback.

        Getting my tattoo was a great experience, and it's given me a great way for me to meet new people and talk about something new. I'd love to hear about what you have and why you got it!