Stories Written in Ink Part 4: Needle Work Complete
It’s been about two weeks since I finally finished up the tapestry of needle work. As I’ve been writing these blogs, I have been thinking of all that these tattoos mean and about my life.
It has been a very tough year. I have had two deaths in the family. I have lost my grandfather and my business. While I won’t go into all the details, the death of the family business has been a blessing and a trial.
People don’t understand what it takes to run a business and the burden that is placed on your shoulders. It’s not just the financial pressure and the daily trials that come with running a business. It’s the fact that not only am I supporting my family, I am supporting the families of those that work for us.
In a business, you have to make tough decisions. When the economy tanked, we had to start letting folks go, which is the toughest thing to do. Not everyone believes me when I say that. I know some out there think I am a cold hearted bastard who doesn’t care about them or their family. There are folks who think that business owners live to screw over their employees. So be it.
I’ve had previous employees hate my guts, try to pick a fight with my wife, and try to sue my family. Those people can kiss my ass. While I hold no bitterness or ill will, there has to come a point where you have to not give a damn about the things, or people, who are not fruitful in your life, and focus on those that are.
When the end finally came, my family felt like we failed those that have trusted and worked for us for many years. That is the truth.
My tattoos have been very therepeutic.They have helped me understand that pain is intense, but healing does come. In order to obtain the art of a tattoo, it has to hurt. Tattoos are permenent, and I am glad they are. I would not want to sit through 15+ hours of pain and not have the end result last forever.
Such is life. I am not unique in my struggles. We all have our struggles, some worse than others. And though the pain is severe, it just means that a beautiful work of art is in progress, and the end result will last forever.
There is a song by Metallica called, “Broken, Beat and Scarred” that says:
You Rise, you fall, you’re down than you rise again.
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
Through black days. Through black nights. Through pitch black insights.
The dawn, the death, the fight to the final breath.
What don’t kill you make you more strong.
They scratch me, they scrape me, they cut and rape me.
Breaking your teeth on the hard life a-coming.
Show your scars.
Cutting your feet on the hard earth running.
Show your scars.
Breaking your life, broken, beat and scarred…
But we die hard!
But we die hard! Truer words have never been spoken. All of us on this journey have had our asses kicked. We all have our scars. Show them with pride. There is a time to have your ass kicked, and a time to kick some ass.
A tattoo is nothing but scarred flesh with ink. For me, mine is a reminder of my faith and my family and my commitment to my wife. They remind me where I came from and what (and who) I live for. They are a reminder that the pain is well worth the meaning.
So, whether you have tattoos or not, don’t be ashamed of your scars. When the tough times come, and the pain is raw, scream and cry and mourn. Always remember that there is a time for mourning, and it won’t last forever. When the good times come, and I hope they are abundant in your life, live them to the fullest.
A special thanks to Shane Anderson and Animated Canvas.
Thank you for reading my blog and allowing me to share these moments with you. Thank you to those that have posted words of encouragement. Keep rocking and die hard!
Don’t forget to visit Animated Canvas and Shane’s websites.
2 Comments
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs. Very well written and inspiring.
Thank you Kelli. Tell Shane I said hi.