Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

  • Home
  • About
  • Favorites
  • Policies
  • Contact

Happy National Tattoo Stories Day

September 16, 2022 by Lauren 18 Comments

Have you heard of National Tattoo Stories Day?  I had not – probably because I’m not a big tattoo kinda girl.  But I do have one.  And I actually love hearing the story behind a tattoo. 

Click To Tweet
I know some people simply like the art of ink and may choose a design purely for aesthetics, but those of you who got inked to commemorate something, remind yourself of something or memorialize someone, you are my people.

 

They say tattoos are addictive, but I got my first one at 42 and have not been tempted to get another (almost 7 years later if you’re counting).  I regret that as a tattoo virgin I did not know to look for a real artist and wound up going to a guy who used stencils.  So mine doesn’t look great.  And one day I would like to find an artist who can touch it up and make it look a little more inspired.

 

My Tattoo Story

 

In spite of the amateur art, I don’t regret getting the tat.  I went with a group of moms who all have a child with the same rare genetic disorder as my daughter.  I share so many things with these friends that no one else can truly understand.  And I will never forget having our purple butterflies (the symbol for Dravet Syndrome) permanently applied to our wrists together.

 

I have another daughter, though, and didn’t want to honor one on my body and not the other.  So I chose a rose (my girl’s middle name and the first flower my husband ever gave me) to symbolize her beautiful fragrance in my life.  And then I decided to have a small cross put between the butterfly and rose.  My children are so precious to me, but Jesus remains the most important and central person in my life.  tattoo stories

 

The cross – the symbol of the horrible death my Savior endured to take away the sin separating me and the Lord Most High.  It is because of Him that I am forgiven, saved and blessed.  It is Jesus I seek to emulate in how I live my life and parent my girls.  So His symbol sits between the symbols for my daughters.  Because this is how we try to live.  Jesus in the middle of it all.

 

Do you have a tattoo with a cool story?  I would LOVE to hear it.  Type your story in the comments below or click on the contact link at the top of the page to send me a private email.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Donna of serenityinsuffering.com wrote beautifully of threshold moments.  Not sure what they are?  Read here.  Thank you, Donna, for linking up with Grace and Truth!

 

The Link Up

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Christian, community, Dravet Syndrome, Grace & Truth Link Up, Jesus, mothers, salvation

Comments

  1. Linda Stoll says

    September 16, 2022 at 5:35 am

    I think we have 3 in our extended family with tatoos. Those inked images remind them of loved ones who’ve died. Some are tastefully done and others are rather large.

    Whatever.

    Maybe if I was young again!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 16, 2022 at 2:22 pm

      It’s so funny the wide range of feelings about tattoos. I really struggle with extremely large ones myself. But to each his own!

      Reply
  2. Maryleigh says

    September 16, 2022 at 9:47 am

    One of our boys got a tattoo – his inspiration at the time was for independence. I will admit, I love the beautiful skin I gave my sons and feel sad when they cover it up. However, I do love to hear the inspiration stories about them – so many point to testimonies!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 16, 2022 at 2:23 pm

      It’s so funny how times have changed. It’s almost more common to find a young person with a tattoo than without!

      Reply
  3. Donna says

    September 16, 2022 at 2:05 pm

    Thank you Lauren for sharing my post! Thank you for sharing your tattoo story! I think your tattoo is beautiful and so full of meaning. I have wanted to get one for years, but at 64, most people laugh at me. Still, who knows?

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 16, 2022 at 2:21 pm

      You’re never too old to do something you want to do! Remember those news stories of President Bush skydiving in his 80’s and I think even 90’s!

      Reply
  4. Deborah Rutherford says

    September 16, 2022 at 2:18 pm

    Lauren, I like your tattoo and story! I have one on my ankle – a leopard gecko. Years back I was in a band, “The Ringling Sisters” and we would put on benefits for the Hollywood Orphanage. Different business would don’t gift certificates to be given away. One year we had left over gifts so we divided them up amongst us. I got a $100 tattoo gift. I got it on my ankle and it was so painful that I will never do it again.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 16, 2022 at 2:20 pm

      I agree it is not a fun process. How fun that you were in a band! That makes you sound so cool. (Which I’m sure you are.)

      Reply
  5. Donna B Reidland says

    September 16, 2022 at 3:10 pm

    Lauren, I don’t have any tattoos but I’m not opposed to them, especially, when they are so rich with meaning. I think almost all my children and grandchildren have one or more. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 16, 2022 at 4:55 pm

      It is much more common to have one now. Thanks, Donna.

      Reply
  6. Lisa Blair says

    September 16, 2022 at 3:32 pm

    Thank you for sharing your story, Lauren. It’s always interesting to hear the reason behind people getting tattoos.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 16, 2022 at 4:55 pm

      Thanks, Lisa. At least for me, I had to have a good reason to put something permanently on my body!

      Reply
  7. Laura says

    September 16, 2022 at 3:52 pm

    Note to Donna. I got mine at 63 🙂 I have preached to my children all their lives that tattoos are so trashy. “Don’t ever get one. Do you ever see bumper stickers on a Bentley?” My 37 year old daughter passed away in July 2021. My two daughters and daughter in law wanted to get tattoos in her honor. I said I would go along and be with them. They had it all planned out for her birthday in March 2022. I saw some wall art of a heart and infinity sign one day scrolling on Facebook and thought that would make a perfect tattoo. I decided to join them and I am so happy that I did. We all got small tattoos with different heart designs incorporated and I am so glad I did!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 16, 2022 at 4:54 pm

      Sweet Laura, I had no idea you lost your daughter. I am so very sorry. Thank you for sharing your sweet tattoo story. I’m sure Jordan got a kick out of you getting one if she had a window. Sending my love to you and J.Lee and praying for you as you continue to grieve.

      Reply
      • Laura says

        September 20, 2022 at 5:38 pm

        Thank you Lauren! I can guarantee Jordan is loving it! She was the only one that had one. We laughed about it all the time. She got a small fish tattoo in college that was crooked! Jennifer’s tattoo says “choose joy”. We have focused on choosing joy in our family. She had sepsis twice the year before and she unexpectedly died in her sleep. We know without a doubt that she is with Jesus and we rejoice in that, and know she is healed!

        Reply
        • Lauren says

          September 21, 2022 at 2:23 pm

          Come quickly, Lord Jesus, so we can be with you and those we have lost. I love and remember you and J. Lee fondly.

          Reply
  8. Joanne says

    September 17, 2022 at 1:24 pm

    I had never heard of national tattoo stories day and while I don’t have any tattoos I definitely enjoy hearing why people have gotten the ones they have; especially when they have a deep meaning like yours.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 19, 2022 at 7:31 pm

      Me too, Joanne!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
Read More

Subscribe for Updates

Enter your information below to receive the latest updates from the blog!

Recent Posts

  • I’ve Got Tears in My Ears (and Other Funny Titles)
  • Verse Mapping Joy!
  • Grace Upon Grace
  • First Friday Prayers: Prayer for the Caregiver
  • The Grand Finale of February

Find Devotionals By Me in These Books and Click on Image for Order Information!

A 25-Week Bible Study with Topics from Abide to Zeal
A 26 week journey to a better prayer life.
30 devotionals for faith that moves mountains

For Sharing

Lauren Sparks

Like Podcasts? I’m on This One

…and This One! click to listen.

Click below to get a free trial of my favorite technology monitoring platform

Need More Than Just Monitoring? Find Filters and Accountability Here

Search This Site

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 Lauren Sparks | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

Stop!  Don't Miss Out!

I have a brand new e-book.  This was Not On My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Related Surprises is available to you FREE by simply subscribing to my blog!  

Invalid email address
I promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!