"We’ll start here: a semi-colon is a place in a sentence where the author has the decision to stop with a period, but chooses not to. A semi-colon is a reminder to pause and then keep going."
I've struggled with depression on several occasions throughout my life. My counselor says I have reoccurring depression. I have been receiving out-patient services for 6 months and taking an antidepressant. Both have helped tremendously. When I heard about The Semicolon Project, I could not help being moved and making a connection with the movement. Now I want a tattoo.
Henna design that she simplified for the comma
So I am going to form a semicolon using a mandala and some henna designs using brown ink as a permanent henna. I'm wanting it on my hand. I think it will be a design I love and a constant reminder of where I was and what a wonderful place I am in now.
I made an appointment on Tuesday, July 21 from 2:00-3:00pm at Yes, It Hurts...Tattoos with artist, Angie Smith. The appointment before me ran over. The 18-year old girl had been crying. I thought, "What have I gotten myself into? I should have brought Joe with me." I have a high tolerance for pain. I've had several piercings and labored a baby naturally. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew I could handle it, even if for a short time. Angie was very kind and gentle. The tattoo look less than 30 minutes once she started. It was all line work. We talked about the water birth I had at home, which is one of my favorite topics.
Angie's drawing
Template and placement on my hand
All bandaged up afterwards
The tattoo the day afterwards. Can't see the design clearly here.
Loved the experience of getting my first tattoo and I love the symbolism behind it. Already have plans for another one. R
Probably around January we noticed 3 brown spots on Lincoln. We thought he was getting moles or something. They popped up around the same time. The brown lesion is above his nipple At his 6-month well check (3/19/12), I asked the pediatrician to look at them. She said that moles don't pop up like that so we should have a dermatologist take a look at them. We scheduled an appointment with Joy Chastain's office (3/23/12), which Joe and I have been to for our skin. There are three ladies that work there and the one we were there to see, went to get another lady to look at them too. They were spouting off a lot of medical terms with their predictions. Ultimately, they recommended a biopsy so we could see what they were. Joe held Lincoln tight, which he didn't like. They injected numbing medicines and then they cut a piece of the one on his back. It was over quickly. I didn't like my babies' smooth skin being cut and scarred. We were told to keep it moist with Vasel
My frustration with watching the kids at home 12+ hours a day and being unemployed since June had taken a toll on me. The kids were going to school part and full-time over the summer and up until October 31. For the last month and a half, I had both kids home all day. My temper, patience, and boredom were reaching an all time high. Having a second was like having 10 to us. When people talk about wanting kids or a second, inside I yell, "Don't do it!" I know it is just a matter of perspective and capability. For Joe and I, we struggle regularly to survive and work cohesively. Everyday is a battle. What to eat, which bathroom to potty in, stool or no stool, lights and fan, door open or closed, what shirt/pants/socks/shoes, what cup to drink out of, brush teeth or not, which paste/brush to use, what snacks/lunch/dinner to eat, which car seat to sit in, water or milk to drink, which movie to watch, bath or not, bubbles or not, which toys to play/share, which route to
On November 30, I noticed a white spot on Grey's upper left thigh. I know the date because I keep a calendar with all the daily events and I record them for her (and us). Anyways, the spot looked like a birthmark to me. I have a port wine mark on my upper left thigh too. So I wrote on her calendar- birthmark. I took her for her 6-month well check on Monday, December 23. After her exam, I asked about her scalp (cradle cap) and the spot on her leg. Turns out, it isn't a birth mark...Before he replied, he asked, "Is that the only one?" I told him as far as we knew and it popped up a few weeks ago. He said it was there when she was born, but it is just now noticeable because pigment in her skin. Apparently, if there are a few, it is tuberous sclerosis and it is dangerous. He didn't go into detail, but he did say you don't want that. Like any curious and concerned parent, I researched "ash leaf spot" so I could learn more about what my daughter has.
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