The Informal Matriarchs

I could have sworn I’ve blogged about this before…but I guess I haven’t.

I was on a mission to get a tattoo on my inner right arm that would remind me of Silas, his autism and the fight for it.  Googling autism tattoos wasn’t effective.  I didn’t like any of them.  I don’t like multi-coloured puzzle pieces…they just weren’t pretty.  Not me, at all.

So I move along in my quest and finally decided to figure out what Silas’ birth flower was.  A Chrysanthemum.  The meaning written stood out:” The bright butter yellow glow of the chrysanthemum brings joy, light, and cheer to the dwindling days of November. Chosen because of the cheer and joy November birthdays bring throughout the year, the chrysanthemum’s color and perseverance are a beacon of happiness.” (http://www.flower-choice.com/birthflowers.asp)

Beacon of happiness.  That’s so Silas.  He lights up a room when he walks in…he’s everything…yellow.

I looked up chrysanthemum tattoos and decided I hated them.  They’re popular in Japanese tattooing and again…not my style.  While searching for tattoo ideas I happened upon this site.  I love love love the meanings I read there.  Things like “As an herb, it was believed to have the power of life.”  or “”If you would be happy for a lifetime, grow Chrysanthemums,” says one ancient Chinese philosopher.”  I also read somewhere that they unfold in a really specific way to reveal a very perfect looking blossom.  We’re unfolding Silas in a very specific and organized way.

Perfect.

Now how do I get a chrysanthemum tattoo that I like?  I searched high and low and finally found it.  Last Saturday I got it.

I added the puzzle piece to symbolize the autism.  The artist did a very good job.  He knew it was a special tattoo to me and he took great care in making it nice.

I know not all my readers agree with tattoos or think they’re appropriate but I see it very differently.  When I see a well done tattoo on a woman I think it’s completely beautiful.  I actually think the good ones look classy and…believe it or not…sexy.  I love them on men too.  I just absolutely love them.  Not to be rebellious, but just think they are beautiful and that’s all.  They’re like a piece of a certain era of your life, something to remember, something to inspire you daily, something that’s beautiful. Tattoos have come a long way.  Once a symbol of rebellion, now a symbol of beauty, individuality, expression, sexuality,  religion, etc.  The tattoo is something much much more.  In America at least.  There are many cultures that have them as just a part of their culture and it’s been that way for hundreds of years.

So, I love my new tattoo.  It’s so special to me.  It’s Silas on my arm, reminding me all the time that there’s so much beauty in my son.  My son who scratched the skin off my mouth today, pulled my hair and hit me numerous times.  There’s a reason I’m fighting for him.  He is light, he is sunshine, he is perfection…he’s just in a world that doesn’t understand him and he doesn’t fully understand.  But we’re helping him unfold.