Holding On

My fourth (and fifth) tatoo had much more thought behind it. This tattoo was also not only inked by Dave Scearce, he also helped designed it, and this picture certainly does not do his art justice. I knew I wanted this one to be in honor of family. Specifically, this one was fashioned after something that has always been a part of my life: my teddy bear.

This bear was given to me by my maternal grandfather for my first birthday. We were very close. He unfortunately passed just two years later, and this teddy bear became a symbol of stability in my life. We are all given trials to face as we grow older, and we often look for a constant to keep us grounded. This object usually helps us find comfort when we need it and aids in needed reflection. Although not always as tangible as a teddy bear, we venture to attach meaning to find sense. For 24 years, this bear has seen me through more than even I can sometimes imagine.

The idea began as only getting the bear with angel wings to reflect that people are there for you even after they are gone. It grew into the angel and devil looking over my shoulders because family is there in good times and in bad (and sometimes help lead you both directions). We are faced with decisions everyday. It is not a novel idea to say our past influences where we go in the future. However, this idea is something to think about on occasion.

**Thanks to Dave for all his work and doing this tattoo on my and his birthday last year. I also thank him for sharing his birthday cake in the process.