First let me say, I never had a tattoo before and never even considered getting one however, the unexpected loss of my wife has changed a lot of things about me. I can remember shortly after getting the idea and contacting the tattoo studio laying on my couch in a pitiful state when I received a call from the them to schedule my first appointment. I jumped off the couch as this was the one and only thing that kept me moving forward at this point in my life. I actually had something to look forward to. I chose to have an exact replica of a cross that my wife's sister had given her and that my wife wore often as the center piece of my tattoo. I then decided to use her favorite scarf as a color template for the tattoo artist. This cross is actually around the size of a dime. Purple was my wife's favorite color and this color will always remind me of Debbie.





I went in around three weeks ago and had the outline done.





Two days ago I had color and background added.





I'll be honest, while the outline didn't hurt too bad the color work was a bit of a pain at times. I have one more appointment on the 31st to add the final touches. When I left the tattoo studio Tuesday night I actually felt good for the first time since Christmas Eve. This tattoo means the world to me and fortunately, God directed me in choosing a tattoo artist as my artist is a former pastor. Who better to tattoo a cross? It has been great also being able to discuss the Bible with him over the 4.5 hours of work he had done on me. He understands the importance of this tattoo to me and is doing his best to make it perfect and that's why I am having a third appointment.

To me, this cross represents walking with Christ the remaining days of my life on this earth so as to be reunited with my wife in Heaven. I only wish that I was 80 instead of 50 so that my wait would be that much shorter.