We live in a youth adoring culture, one that definitely basks in the glow of a life not barely lived, rather than the shimmer of a older age. And for those of us experiencing middle age with it's resulting frown lines, and wrinkles, the fleeting feeling of youth has much appeal.
With alternative lifestyle choices going mainstream it seems almost everyone has one, two, or maybe even many more tattoos.
I understand the urge to look different than everyone else in a stream of bland normalcy, but I have not yet given way to the urge "to get some ink".
I love tattoos, but on other people. I am wondering if my entire generation of ink lovin' mama's are going to be regretting their middle aged decisions sooner than they expected.
I am also wondering how the heavily tattooed are going to fare. The ones that have less square inches of untattooed areas than a matchbox.
What's going to happen when gravity hits my generation? When the perky little swallow with the cute swirls on the chest resembles something more like a pelican. Complete with drooping beak.
When the sun star on the shoulder, becomes a oval shaped egg, with vague squiggly lines emanating from it?
What happens when Mom, becomes MMMMMMMoooooooooooommmmmm?
Maybe that's when I will realize that for me, I made the right decision.
It does give you something to consider, doesn't it? It took some kind of nerve for me to decide to pierce my ears!
ReplyDeleteI made the same desition and of the same reason. My brother didn't and now his work makes it impossibel for him to wear short sleaves since his arms (and more) are full of ink. Some beginning to shange shape and others still looking ok. I think we'll never regrett our desition =)
ReplyDeleteOne of these days I'm going to get a tat....By the time I'm 50 I should be able to have it narrowed down to a location and a design.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't want anything on me that I can't wash off!! Yeah, when that rose bud on the shoulder becomes a long stem rose, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI remain unmarked by the tattooist needle, as well. And, for many of the same reasons you cite here.
ReplyDeleteMaria, over at KAP wrote about tattoos earlier in the month. I left my (rather lengthy) thoughts on this subject over there.
http://kap-maria.blogspot.com/2009/08/tattoo.html
Happy Monday!
Carolynn
I've wondered those same things Jen. Personally, I'm glad I won't have to worry about it either.
ReplyDeleteWell said! I'm a grandmother who fought the urge to get a tat when I was younger. For some unknown reason I always thought about how it would look when I reached this age...not good, I can assure you.
ReplyDeleteI look with sadness at the beautiful young people who have chosen to mutilate their skin and pierce their bodies and wonder what will define them as they reach the stage in their life when they must meet with the principal and teachers of their child. Will the child be judged based on the questionable decisions of their parent(s)?
While I believe in everyone's rights to make decisions for themselves, is it right that those decisions may one day affect the opportunities of others? I have yet to meet a heavily tattoed or pierced CEO or professional person, even though I am sure that among the artistically decorated there are a great number of highly qualified people.
There should be a three day waiting period for anyone seeking to decorate themselves. Just to make certain that they really want to do it.
I love this! My daughter wants a tattoo and I tell her the same thing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I tend to agree. I'd rather not have my sagging body parts highlighted by ink!
ReplyDeletehaha my brother in law was a tattoo artist for years, and is pretty much covered. I asked him once how he feels about it changing as he aged and he said it really doesnt bother him...he got them for his own reason, and although his body will change, he will have the same past, its like his blog...his journal...but on his body.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason I chose not to get an tattoo was the fact that I am too fickle.
ReplyDeleteThere's not much of anything I want adorning my body *forever*.
Women should get some nipples tattooed on their front shoulders so when they are 60 years old the nipples should be hanging in the right place.
ReplyDeleteI so agree!! Can't help but ask people how they will feel about their tattoos when they are being looked after in an old peoples home!!! My partners is ok but just a celtic design, can't cause offence, hopefully he just won't age so he dosn't look riduclous when hes on old man!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a funny thought. But I suppose when all the wrinklies have wrinkly tattos, they'll look the norm! I always think it's a shame fr young people to do this to their skin. The permanency of it! Have a good week. x
ReplyDeleteI agree- I find them intersting on other people, but not for me-too much of a commitment, too permanent. My grandpa had a tattoo of my grandmother on his inner arm, just below the elbow (must have hurt). He got it during ww2-he was a prisoner of war. I loved looking at it as a little girl. My grandma hated it, and made him wear long-sleeved shirts.
ReplyDeletegreat post! My husband has a tattoo on his shoulders - fairly large... He's middle-aged and hasn't regretted it yet.
ReplyDeleteAs for me - no thanks! I prefer to gaze at them on other people.
A pelican...you almost made me spit out my tea! No way, no how...needles on purpose? Why in the world would I want to inflict pain on myself, on purpose, AND have to pay for it??? Kim
ReplyDeletetattoo is good..but a small one..
ReplyDeletei wanna get a dragon..on my neck though
I am a follower for ur blogs as I loved the pictures..
Awesome and beautiful
:D
I don't have any..I don't like needles or pain. I have enough sagging stuff without worrying about a tattoo:)
ReplyDeleteHi, I enjoy your blog and would like to take part in Word Wednesday.
ReplyDelete