The basic Design for the Tattoo.

[Elizabeth]

The basic design for the tatoo is on Mandy's Page....the variations are in my photos, though I may do a slide show of them too. As I told Mandy, I esp. like the kaleidoscope ones, though you will find my comments/thoughts at the bottom of each picture.

I wanted the design to have as much symbolism in it as possible. I also wanted to keep it fairly simplistic since it will be tatooed on. It can be customized, made to be any size (large or small) and changed up in any way you desire. For example: Stephen is considering adding boxing gloves on the hands. The wings could also be changed, etc.

The waves are symbolic of the waves of dispair, disappointment,frustration, insecurity, depression, anger etc, that every survivor experiences. Note there is an e at the first of the waves. The person (green head, arms wave like raised above the head) is coming up OUT OF THE WAVES with it's arms up in victory (because every thing learned, every thing that gets a little easier, every positive thought, every day of life, etc is a victory over 'e'. ) The wings are symbolic of 'learning to fly' again...though the flight may not be the same or as high, still it's a flight. I also look at the wings as a symbol of courage and strength. The color blue is a symbol for healing and green for life.

Please let me know what you think and which is your favorite. Below, find the basic design in water color and pencil and my favorite kaleiscope as well as my favorite variation.

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[Elizabeth]

I think that you getting a tattoo would be great...So many of us having the tattoo with our own variation...would be so neat.

[CR]

OK, I will try again.....
My father has a large one on his calf and my son has a large one on his chest,and my daughter has one on the back of her neck. I have never really thought about getting a tat but I am cool with it.

[CR]

Hi, Elizabeth I have done allot of things in my life in my life but i have never gotten a tatoo. M

[Hope]

AWESOME!
My father is a 100%

[Elizabeth]

Very cool..Stephen and I both are part native american.

[Hope]

I have an orchid on my right leg, outter calf with my sons name,'KODY'

then on my left ankle I have an Indian feather anklet (I am Native American and German)

then on my right hip I have a rose and under it, it reads 'LOVE'

(Two are cover up's)

[Elizabeth]

Oh cool!! Let me know what he says and if you decide to get this and where. Ok? If you don't mind my asking, what are your other three of?

[Hope]

I really like the kaleidoscope ones.
I have a friend who is a tattoo artist. I'm going this week to talk to him.
He did my other three tat's (my niece's Uncle)

[Elizabeth]

Jude,
Stephen feels the same....and while I know that caregivers don't experience the same things as those who actually had 'e', we do feel a lot of the same frustration, fragmentation, lostness and inability to know how to deal with things at times. I think this is why I really like the kaleidoscope ones the best...I wanted a design that could easily be varied by whomever wanted to use it/have it tattooed and still have the basic same elements/meanings.

[Jude]

Hi Elizabeth,
I eally like the bottom design, kaleidoscope as it seems to reflect thge fragmentation of the mind that I experienced during and after my episode of meningoencephalitis. Will check out Mandy's page soon.