Friends for life!

I have just realize the wonderful life I have. On Saturday, January 24th, I had the opportunity to really think and analyze my life and my friendships. I have had so many wonderful people in my life that have made me who I am today. I am sure that God will put many more too. But during this past Saturday I got to share a very special moment with some very special ladies. They invited me to their circle of friends and participate in a special moment for their group. Although I was going for moral support and to photograph the awesome moments, I ended up getting closer to 7 very special ladies. I met the beautiful ladies for breakfast at Frisch's in Erlanger Kentucky. Then walked next door to Mother's Tattoo Parlor and Piercings, yes! a tattoo parlor. If any of you know me, you know I am terrified of needles and basically anything that can poke me. But on this day, I was willing to observe and take picture and share a very cool and significant moment with these wonderful sisters in Christ, as long as the poking was not on me.

When we walked in the place there was a great gentleman, Eric, missionary from Nicaragua. He was very peaceful and very gentle. His voice was even soothing. He welcomed us and Craig, the tattoo artist, was there too. I got to talk to Eric in Spanish, of course, about what he did and wehre he lived in Nicaragua. We talked about family and why he was here. Craig and Eric, who was visiting Craig, were very nice to us eventhough we were a bunch of excited ladies taking pictures and rambling on about what was going to happen next. When we got to Mother's it was a very relaxed atmosphere, almost like we were going to someone's house. It was really neat. Anyway... I'll try to stay on topic. Somehow in this wonderful place my fear of needles and "anxiety" really was almost gone. I was just as excited to be there. Then someone suggested, I think Tracy, I get a love dot. I said, "a what?". A love dot, just a little poke and you are part of the group. I said, "I'll think about it". I am thinking to myself, there is no way they are getting me tattooed today. I am not sure what happened in the next few hours while Craig was working on the designs of the tattoos that I said, "OK, I'll get a love dot." They all cheered me like I had made the biggest accomplishment in my life. As I talked about it with everyone, about where I was going to get my "big" tattoo, Kelly K suggested I get three for the Holy Trinity. I thought that was a great idea although I was thinking, it went from one poke to three. Oh well!
When the time came to get the tattoo's, Craig asked. who is first and I said, I will. He smiled and said, "Weren't you the one not getting one?" Yep, but you better do it quick or I will change my mind. So the adventure began, he drew my three love dots (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) with a marker and went to work. The first one was like a little poke and I smiled and grinned really big. The second and third were ok although I was so scared that I am not sure if I even felt the pokes. It was done just like that and I was so happy. I can honestly say, I felt so proud of my tattoo. You would have thought I had done a whole arm or something. Now I felt like I was part of a team of ladies that really mean so much to me. I feltl like part of the family. Thank you for letting me share such a special moment. I did not believe I could do it but you girls made me feel like I really belonged somewhere. Thanks for allowing me to share such a special moment with you.
My life, as I recall it, has have its ups and downs but Saturday I felt like I have had friends forever, like I was on top of the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really need you guys to know how much this meant to me, even with my three love dots.