Talking to Tattoo
I talk to my tattoo. The bright red, egg shaped illustration
that adorns my inner left ankle will often times talk back. I’ve heard that it
is not uncommon for people to talk to their body art, but two years ago I never
would have guessed that this addition to my skin would befriend me and bring me
the wisdom it has.
The egg is a cross-cultural symbol of rebirth. However, the
myth of the red egg being tied to Mary Magdalene’s post-resurrection evangelism
adds a greater level of meaning for me. The story goes something like this;
Mary M. was out spreading the Gospel to all who would listen and when she told
a Roman emperor about Jesus rising from the dead, he chided her and pointing to
a basket of eggs said, “Jesus no more resurrected than those eggs are red!” And
they turned red! I love this story not only because it involves Mary Magdalene
but also because it is a lesson that resurrection is not so much about the
after-life but rather it is able to be experienced in the here and now even
when faith is limited.
My tattooed egg is nestled inside a semi-circle of seven
prayer beads, a reminder that resurrection is possible and more importantly
necessary everyday of my life. So, every morning I look down and say, “hi!” and
I reflect on ways to re-birth myself into the person I truly want to be and who
I think God wants me to be: Loving, grateful, compassionate and soulful. Most
days I fall extremely short and I look at my ink egg and apologize and hope for
another chance for resurrection the next day.
