It’s not every day that one hits a milestone half a century in the making. That would be me, actually, who has evolved and survived some fifty plus years on this planet. “An event of this magnitude warrants something big,” I thought at the time, “something unexpected, memorable. Yes, this calls for nothing less than a tattoo!” Don’t laugh. It’s quite common you know. Middle-aged people add a tat or two to commemorate a well-lived life. Besides, it was on my bucket list.
Of course, my first and only tattoo could not be merely common, like a butterfly or a flower. This was fifty years we were talking about. So I did what anyone who wants to find a meaningful symbol to etch permanently into one’s flesh would do. I googled it. I already knew that I wanted something that reflected my faith with a Celtic flare. And I wanted a verse to go with it, in Latin. Mind you, I knew nothing about Latin except for a few words derived from Latin roots. But I was determined and inspired.
It didn’t take long to find the perfect verse. “Alis Volat Propriis!” or as it is translated in English, “She flies with her own wings!” I am reminded of a quote by the late, great president, Abraham Lincoln, “The problem with internet quotes is that you can’t always depend on their accuracy.” But then, I digress. I am getting a bit ahead of myself.
I went to work creating a beautiful tattoo sketch. I found the perfect Celtic knot triangle embellished with ivy for the art. Then I printed a word of the verse on each side. “Alis…Volat…Propiis”.
To my great delight and surprise, three of my daughters managed to make it to my door from two states away just in time to celebrate the big 5-0 with me, as well as accompany me to the tattoo shop, just in case I was having second thoughts. I wasn’t. I was ready to present my flesh as a canvas and to commemorate my mid-life Croning, as it were, in a big way.
If you have never gotten a tattoo, you should know, it hurts. There’s no way around it. The droning precision of the needle as it pulses, depositing ink, black and green, deep into layers of flesh hurts like hell. But with good company for moral support and music playing in the background…heavy, loud music… the hour or so goes by pretty quickly.
I loved my new tattoo. I still do, even though a few years later I discovered my worst nightmare…a misspelled word! I hate typos. This typo was etched permanently on my left shoulder blade. “Alis Volat Propiis.” “Where was the “R”? There is supposed to be an “R” after the second P? How did I miss it? Every source I consulted online spelled the phrase without the “R”!”
And that was the problem. It seems that there are quite a few folks wandering around with this misspelled disaster branded into their skin. The State of Oregon even listed it as a viable “Latin Motto Version”. But, ultimately, it was a typo! One that I had spent weeks researching and perfecting with my photo design program. One that I had suffered through hours of grueling, dull, excruciating pain to receive.
It could have been my undoing you know, having to live with this embarrassing secret hidden under my clothes. But I have grown attached to my beautiful flawed tattoo because it reminds me of me. It was, in fact, the perfect way to commemorate my crazy, roller coaster first 50 years.
This year I will celebrate my 60th year. I have lived ten more years filled the joys and sorrows that are part of every life. I thought about getting another tattoo. But I can’t decide what it should be or say. I’ve tossed this verse around…tell me what you think… “Just Breath”. I am kidding you know. Maybe I’ll just stick with butterflies.
kat ~ 25 January 2016
(675 Words – Non-Fiction)
Yes…this really happened…and yes, I still love it, flawed and all!
This story is in response to RonovanWrites Weekly Flash Fiction Challenge. If you would like to read other stories or add your own, click HERE.
January 25th, 2016 at 11:31 pm
I smiling and so loving this post. Yes indeed the big 50 on this planet is to be spent memorably and a little flawed tattoo sounds cute. I love the quote of your tattoo as well. Congratulations 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 10:01 pm
Thank you Jacqueline! Perfection is quite overrated I think! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 27th, 2016 at 1:09 am
True that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 27th, 2016 at 6:32 am
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 25th, 2016 at 11:43 pm
You are so brave! Oldest son and stepson have tattoos but I don’t know if I could do it. Always thought it would be cool, though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 6:23 am
Ha! One thing you’ll never catch me doing is bungee jumping or parachuting. The tattoo wasn’t bad once I got over the initial shock of the first needle. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 1:31 am
Way to getting your Tattoo. I have my perfect tattoo picked out. I have been looking for it since I was 4 years old. And I have a good tattoo artist I had found out and I didn’t go to my consultation. I’m too scared of the pain and my skin is sensative. Now I find, there are better ways to spend $700.00. But maybe one day … Great story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 6:44 am
I do love my tattoo! Wow! 4 years old? What did the art feature? And yes I’ve figured out that there are lots of other ways to spend $700! Fortunately mine was a fraction of that cost. Still worth every penny! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 1:33 pm
My Godparents had a son who babysat me sometimes at my God parents house. He played in a band and had tattoos all over. I liked them but remember thinking I didn’t want skulls or snakes like he had. When I was seven or so there was a tattoo exhibit at the Alberta art Gallery. I have always loved good art but the Tattoos were fascinating to me. Glad you love yours 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 1:37 pm
I do love them too and do consider tattoos an interesting part of our modern day art culture. I may get another one some day, one never knows! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 2:47 am
I loved the post! I have serveral tats, love each one! Never thought about doing one for my 50th, however that date has long since gone by, maybe for my 60th!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 10:41 am
Beautiful tattoo! I really like the thought of a tattoo, “Just Breathe.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Thanks…I still may do it…I’ll just remember to add the “e” at the end! Haha!
LikeLike
January 26th, 2016 at 1:27 pm
LOL! Good idea! 😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 10:42 am
Oh! I almost forgot. Happy Birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Thanks! Not until June…but hey, why not start celebrating now! 🙂
LikeLike
January 26th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
I agree! Start celebrating now. 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 2:54 pm
I am a stickler for typos, I would have been mortified! But you take it all in stride. I do like “Just Breathe” too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 2:57 pm
I was at first! Mortified! But like all things peculiar in life, it has grown on me…or rather I have grown into it. It is after all, only ink. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
Hey I nominated you for an award! https://justaladywithablog.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/the-sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/
LikeLike
January 26th, 2016 at 7:05 pm
I love this, as you said perfect and flawed are all good! I like to think the same who wants perfection, different is fun! I loved your last line about the next one, so Kat! xxx
LikeLike
January 26th, 2016 at 8:35 pm
Its beautiful…..and yes 50 was a milestone….I however did not get a tattoo…LOL I am to afraid of needles…happy birthday…..and I think you should get the butterfly…..kat
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 26th, 2016 at 9:52 pm
Actually my significant other suggested I get “R” somewhere. Just one letter! Haha! That would be classic don’t you think! 😊
LikeLike
January 26th, 2016 at 9:59 pm
I love it…..kat
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 29th, 2016 at 12:06 am
[…] Milestones by Kat Myrman (like mercury colliding…) Kat reveals her 50th birthday adventure . . . with a typo. 671 words, 5.3 GL, and 3% passive sentence structure. @kat_myrman […]
LikeLiked by 1 person