My Most Meaningful Tattoo

with Danielle Andre

in remembrance of her grandparents

This tattoo is in remembrance of my grandmother. She passed away when I was just 9 years old, but still had a major impact on my life. I lived with her and my grandfather for a year between first and second grade while my mother was preparing to give birth to her 4th child while also house hunting with my dad and the other kiddos. When my grandma passed away from lung cancer and emphysema, I experienced depression for the first time in my life. At school, I would have random crying outbursts in the middle of class, and I was put in grief and loss counseling for 3 years in a row. I still haven't fully gotten over it and I probably never will.

The panther with roses on my belly is for my grandmother (and grandfather, whom is still living). My grandma's name was Rose, and I chose the color red because it is the color of love, and also because it reminded me most of her (she always had long red fingernails). The panther is for my grandpa because the only tattoo he ever got was a panther clinging to his arm.