Blog No. 18 – Forever Worthy, Forever Inked
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted a tattoo. When I was a teenager in the 80’s, they weren’t as prevalent as they are now and, in my opinion, the general attitude was still one of slight taboo. I don’t remember my parents ever saying anything derogatory about tattoos, but I also did not have family members or close friends with ink.
I inherently knew that I would get one someday but had no idea what it would be. I felt like it needed to be something really important and meaningful because, duh, PERMANENT! As I met and married my husband, I found out that he was not in favor of my desire to get a tattoo. He never really forbade it – our marriage doesn’t work that way. Rather, he expressed his strong desire for me to remain ink free and for thirty some years, I respected his wishes.
Once I hit my 50’s, I had a bit of an awakening. During our whole marriage, I have changed and evolved more than most. I’m honestly so grateful that my husband never fell out of love with each new iteration of me! I had heard women talk about how much freer they felt as they aged, letting go of things like coloring their hair and caring less about what others thought about them, and I started to realize that the same change was happening within my heart as well.
I started to talk with my husband increasingly about getting a tattoo. I was not going to be happy with getting one if he couldn’t come to terms with my decision and support me. That’s how our marriage works. It’s not for everyone, but it’s absolutely for me. I knew I didn’t want something large in terms of size, but I wanted it to be something large in terms of meaning. An idea started percolating in my mind of something that would help cement the transformation that I was feeling my heart and mind start to make.
I have always believed that there is power in words. As an artist, I often include words in pieces of art that I make for myself. I have one whole room where the walls are covered with words and phrases, and it is one of my favorite rooms in my house! So, I settled on a phrase that I could hear in my mind each and every time I looked at it. I also wanted it to have multiple meanings as I heard the words in my head, so I could continue to transform my heart and my belief system about myself and my self-worth, each and every day.
My tattoo reads “you are worthy.” It is worded this way on purpose. When I read it in my head, I hear it like a good friend is saying it in my ear. Some days she says one thing and some days she says four or five things. It just depends on what I need to hear that day. On my toughest days it sounds something like this…
You are worthy of love and respect.
You are worthy of being uniquely and irrevocably you.
You are worthy of all good things that come to you through the universe.
To make my tattoo even more special, I had the pleasure of being tattooed by my nephew, Josh, who I love like a brother. He helped me create the design and made the fonts feel like me. My tattoo is so simple and while it doesn’t at all demonstrate his ability, there is no one else I would ever let put ink on my body. He is an amazing artist and people drive hours to sit in his chair. He has created an amazing shop in Minocqua, WI called Family Tradition Tattoo, and no one leaves disappointed.
My nephew, Joshua Mackay, inside Family Tradition Tattoo in Minoqua, WI
Getting my first tattoo wasn’t just about the ink—it was about honoring the journey I’ve been on and the woman I’ve become. What started as a teenage dream turned into a symbol of growth, self-acceptance, and the freedom that comes with age. “You are worthy” is more than just a phrase on my skin; it’s a daily reminder of love, resilience, and the power of believing in myself. Having it created by my nephew made the experience even more meaningful, weaving family, artistry, and transformation into one permanent piece of me. And while this may be my first tattoo, I know it won’t be my last—because my story, like my heart, is still unfolding.