Saturday, January 11, 2014

Day Dreams of Tattoos and Nose Rings

I remember the first time I saw a girl with a pierced nose. I must have been somewhere around 12 years old, because we were still living in Scotland and I was helping out in the nursery at church. She was slightly older than me, kind and the tiniest of blue diamonds twinkled in the crease of her nose.

I instantly wanted one.

I waited almost 12 years until I went ahead and got my nose pierced. I wanted to make sure I really wanted it, and as soon as I did, I wished I had gotten it pierced sooner.

Unfortunately, one sweaty day riding a broncy 3-year-old spelled the demise of my pretty little nose diamond. When I quickly swiped at my face to stop the annoying trickle of sweat running down the side of my nose, I accidentally caught my sleeve and ripped the ring out of my nose. Ouch. I think that actually hurt worse than getting my nose pierced the first time! I never got to town to buy another ring before my piercing closed up, and so I’m back at square one, wishing for a diamond in my nose.

When I was 15 years old, I saw a photograph of a beautiful Indian woman. Tattoos snaked up the inside of her forearms and I, of course, wanted some. I traced their shapes with my fingertips on my pillow, drew rough sketches in my notebooks and redesigned the tattoos I saw on other people.

Just to clarify, I don’t have any tattoos. I enjoy the shock of my clean skin at a public pool around other people my age, the background of their skin muddied by fading stars, butterflies and feathers. Every few months though, the patterns and special meanings that I have been secretly dreaming of since I was a young girl comes rushing to the forefront of my imagination and a quiet voice whispers, “Why not?”


When that happens I return the to the little folder of photographs I have saved and browse through them. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll go ahead and actually get one, but until then…











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xo xo Elizabeth 


10 comments:

  1. Hi, Liz! I got my nose piercing for my 37th birthday. I waited until I was TOTALLY sure, didn't I? But every time I saw a little bling in a woman's nose, I would say,"I really like that." Until I heard myself say it one last time and I thought, "Silly not to try it. Why live small and safe?" I have never ever wanted to take it out and that was almost seven years ago.

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    1. I always think of your nose ring Amy, I love that you went ahead and got it!! Also, I read your article in Cowboys and Indians yesterday and I just loved it. You are an inspiration to gals like me.

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    2. I am glad you liked it! Keep writing. I am inspired by you as well.

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  2. Haha. I got my nose pieced the first time in 2008. The guy did a wretched job and we had to cut it out! So I pierced the other side. Had nose surgery and it closed up, scarring from the trauma of having the tubes jerked out :s So last fall I got it done again, and OW! Do not get it redone on the same side! I don't heal well after piercings, so I'm contemplating an actual ring, hoping it'll heal better.

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    1. Oh good Lord, that makes me sick to my stomach!! You are so brave!! I hope it heals up for you!! When I got mine done, I was really sick with Lyme which makes you really sensitive to pain....and yeah, I threw up. It was really embarrassing!! bahahaha But also really kind of funny :)

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  3. I wore a diamond fake nose stud as part of a costume once, and loved it so much that I considered going for the real thing. I'm also still into the idea of a tattoo, particularly one with both of my triplet siblings. But I just can't take that plunge til I'm sure!!

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    1. I'm with you Jessica!! I waited for a long time until I got my nose pierced, but I change my mind too much to commit to something that permanent!!

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  4. i was scared when i got my first tattoo, it is a pink archaeopteryx. my second was a cross with wings and the toe pattern from my favorite pair of cowboy boots. both have special meaning to me and are unique. they're permanent and classy reminders to myself to not waver in my beliefs, to always be true to myself, and to chase my dreams!

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    1. Good for you Anon!! I really like tattoos that have some meaning. I am embarrassed to admit I actually had to google what an archaeopteryx is!! hahaha What a fantastic idea! I love the reminder, you go girl! :)

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  5. Hellow:) what is the name of the braid? Thanks♥

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