My Tattoo

So yesterday I did something a bit spontaneous. I got a tattoo. I've been thinking about getting a tattoo for years, and I've known what I wanted to get for several months. Every time I've thought about going to get it I've been too scared. Today though I just went for it. I got the word "live" tattooed on the outside of my left wrist. I knew that I wanted this word for probably about a year but I couldn't decide where to get it. I had thought about my shoulder but I wouldn't be able to see it there, and I also liked the idea of it being on the inside of my wrist. However, I heard that that spot hurts and then other people wouldn't be able to see it as well so I decided not to get it there. It sounds a little dumb, but when I saw picture of Liam Payne's tattoo on his left forearm I really liked that placement and other people can see it there. So that's how I chose where to get it.

The tattoo does have a lot of meaning to it. First off, is the date that I got it. I got it on November 29. Originally I wanted to get it on November 30 but I was feeling brave today and just went for it. Tomorrow, November 30 will be the 2 year anniversary of my friend Lisa's death in a car accident. She was like an older sister I never had, and the way I try to live my life is by following her example. The tattoo is in honor of her and the lessons she taught me.

She always cared about other people and she always tried to make people happy. She also tried to live her life to the fullest every day. My love of holidays comes from her. Ever since I was in elementary school I would go visit her and we would look up what holiday it was every day on this holiday of the day website, and we would write it on the board at the gym where she worked. On halloween and Christmas we would decorate her house from top to bottom. She made every holiday magical and wonderful for me. Thanksgiving is the hardest, because the last time I ever saw Lisa was Thanksgiving of 2010. I went to her house and helped her prepare her Thanksgiving meal and hung out with her and her husband watching funny things on Netflix.

Lisa also loved tattoos, she had quite a few. I like to think she would appreciate that I honored her with a tattoo. I wouldn't be the person I am today without her guidance. It might be ironic to get a tattoo telling yourself to live in honor of a person that died, but I think Lisa would like it. She would want me to be happy, and she would want me to live my life to the fullest every day. I try to never take a day for granted because I'm lucky enough to get up in the morning. My tattoo is also to remind me to live without fear, and to not let things get to me. I know that not everyone likes tattoos, but mine is small and it's a way to keep someone with me even if they are not physically here anymore. The meaning is something that is very hard for me to talk about, even 2 years later which is why I've written it out.

My tattoo is small, but it's a simple reminder that I'll see every day to treat life as the gift it is, and to not take things for granted. Life sucks sometimes and I think we all need to remember that while times may get hard, you can push through it and it will make you stronger. Tomorrow will be a hard day for me, but I'll be able to look at my tattoo and be reminded to live the life I'm lucky enough to have, just like Lisa would have wanted me to.