I NEED THIS STAPLED ON THE INSIDE OF MY EYELIDS AND TATTOOED ON MY BODY AND CARVED INTO MY HEART AND SEARED ONTO MY SOUL AND INJECTED DIRECTLY INTO MY BLOODSTREAM. AND ALSO HANGING ON EVERY SINGLE WALL OF MY APARTMENT
On Thursday I got my mama’s finger print tatted as the shell of a sea turtle.
My mother ADORED sea turtles so so much. We have little sea turtle things all around the house because every Christmas I made sure to gift her something with a sea turtle involved.
My mom loved honu for many reasons.
It reminded her of the beach, of her home Maui, but it also reminded her of her late brother, my uncle Robert, who passed in 2009. He had this huge honu tattooed on his back. It was a beautiful tattoo. They would talk on the phone all the time, late at night over here for our Iowa time, for hours. Losing a sibling is hard and I know that personally.
The honu represents so much in Hawaiian culture to luck, guardian, protection and wisdom.
My mother was my comfort and my guide through life. My plus one. My number one. She will always be my guide and it doesn’t feel like she’s truly gone.
There are moments where I just know what she’d say or do. It’s really bittersweet.
Thank you so so much Amberly and Warrior Tattoo for giving me this tattoo. I love it more and more everyday and it’s so special. Can’t wait for warmer weather so I can show it off more.