Do you save or collect things? Do you proudly display them, or pack them away? What is it that compels us to love something so much that we collect it, no matter what it is?
Years ago when I was in my early twenties, my dad passed away after years of dealing with cancer. For the last six months of his life he lived with me. Just before he died, he gave me his small elephant collection. Three brass elephants that he had carried with him on his cancer journey.
At the time I did not collect anything. After he died, I slowly began to add to this collection that he had bequeathed me.
When you are a collector of anything, it makes it easier for those you know to buy a gift for you. So over the years I acquired many elephants.
Recently, I got my favorite elephant, the one that means the most to me (not counting the three my dad gave me.) After losing my brother almost three years ago to cancer, I realized that I wanted to do something personal as a remembrance of my Dad and his namesake.
Both having the initials FJB, my husband and I designed an elephant tattoo with their initials as part of the body. Needless to say this is my favorite tattoo and elephant. I had it placed on the bottom of my left leg just above the ankle. To me the left leg symbolizes the fact that they never left me, and the lower leg is like they are walking with me and keeping me grounded.
All of my tattoos have special meaning to me, otherwise why get one? Every time I look at this special tattoo it is like having Time in a Bottle and it makes me smile. Whatever you collect or treasure, make it meaningful in your life so that it will make you smile too.
Have a ROCKIN’ day, Mama
Today in ROCK history: 1973 – Jim Croce hits #1 with “Time In a Bottle.”
1rockinmama 