Friday, March 18th 2011
Dear Fashionista Diary,
I am writing today to talk about my experience of becoming an official young adult of my culture, Native American. How you ask?
Well, on Monday I got a very important tribal tattoo, the seal of our tribe, the most important tattoo I could ever get! It was a day I will remember not only because it will be there whenever I look down at my arm, but because it represents a huge part of who I am and what I aspire to become.
Of course, when I sat in the waiting room to get my tattoo I was nervous thinking about what it would feel like. I heard some people say, the pain is close to labor pains while others said it was nothing and that it was actually quite pleasant which led me to not knowing what to believe. My only thoughts were that I could endure whatever pain it may have been and that the outcome of the symbol would be perfect.
Finally, my turn came and I sat in the tattooing chair. The family tattoo artist asked me was I ready. I smiled and nodded as I braced myself for whatever pain I was going to feel. I knew that I was doing this for a reason and that the tattoo that I was getting was with a purpose so I was ready. I braced myself and got ready for the one of many forever changing moments in my life.
I heard the buzzing of the needle begin. At first the needle touching my arm hurt, and it made me squeeze my eyes shut. It felt like a mixture of being pinched and rubbing a burning needle on my arm. Eventually, the pain began to subside when I went into the zone. Where is the zone, you ask? Well, that is when my mind began to think about what this tattoo meant for me. I was not doing it because everyone else had one. I wasn’t doing it because I wanted to be cool. I wasn’t getting anything that came from a wall or what I had seen on anyone else. I was getting a tribal seal that represented me; in honor to my elders—the warriors and mothers that came before me and allowed me to be.
So, getting the tattoo didn’t feel bad at all.
This tattoo is an expression of my life purpose which is to be a great daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and etc. It was an honor to receive this tattoo that made me feel the beginning pride of being a woman.
I have never been one to be against people getting tattoos but I think that when you get one, you get one that truly means something to you and that it is something that you will never regret when you are wiser. I said wiser and not older because believe it or not, you can be wise in the decisions that you make in life at almost any age.
Be mindful that a tattoo is a permanent decision, and although in some cases it can be altered or maybe laser removed it could cause scaring.
Overall, my experience was good and I have no regrets. Thanks for letting me share my experience.
Until next time I'm fashionably out,
Tweety Elitou
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