The Dragonfly Tattoo

My first tattoo! Dragonflies, dandelions and butterfly.

I remember when I turned 40.  I was talking to a friend and shared that I was really glad to have reached this stage, as I was finally beginning to know and value myself, in ways that we don't seem to be able to when we are younger. 
I remember at the time her saying "40...wait till you hit 50! That's the best...you become who you want to be, and don't give a hoot for what the rest of the world thinks!  You discover freedom!"
I have thought of her often over the last few years, now that I am in my 50s, and realize how right she was.  That as you mature into the true authenticity of who you are, you work to please no one before your spirit is contented first.  It is freedom.  And she was also right that really what others think means so much less than it did. 
So it was in that spirit of what do I want to do to express myself, that the tattoo came to be.  For years I couldn't have imagined even considering one..with my mother's words of 'oh no, don't do something like that to your body'...or my father's claim that 'only people who have been in the Navy have earned the right to get a tattoo' (he also claimed you shouldn't pierce your ears unless you've been south of the equator as well.)  But over the past few years, I've been toying with the idea a lot.
So it finally came to be!  I needed the support and 'push' from my daughter in law Robbin to actually do it, as she's very comfortable with body art.  But it took time to decide...we wanted similar ones, as it was a joint 'bonding' event, but I didn't want something that wasn't going to be meaningful for me forever.  This is what I finally came up with.
The Dandelion represents my 'kids' and their partners... a symbol of resilience and tenacity...as stick-to-it as a spirit can be. Anyone who has tried to get rid of one will know that they have heart and spirit that is almost impossible to crush. Then there are 8 dandelion seeds...representing my 8 grandsons..the seeds of our future and all the possibilities they each hold...may they all plant goodness in the world. The 5 dragonflies are for my granddaughters...symbols of transition and light..coming from the world of water, but soaring through the air, reflecting their beauty to the world around...Finally the little blue butterfly in the corner is for Shane...my angel on the side...a symbol of the beauty of transformation...from who we were to who we are, in whatever form we inhabit.
Cec and I are the stalk of the dandelion, entwined as one, with our hope to be a grounding foundation for all the beautiful beings that are our family, providing roots for them to know where they come from and can come home to...but giving them wings to be who they will be. Thanks to Candice at Living Canvas in Winnipeg, I'm very happy with the outcome!
They say that you should do something everyday that scares you a little...that helps you grow.  This scared me more than I can say!  But in the end, my imagination was way worse than the actual event.
What have you been thinking about doing that will scares you a little, but that you know in your heart will help you grow into being Truly You?