My first tattoo, 40 years in the making

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My favorite necklace dates back to when I was born, in January of 1977. The little gold charm is a symbol for the “International Year of the Woman” and it was given to my mom as a gift for me, her 9 lb., 6 oz. baby girl, by a group of badass women she belonged to who were fighting for equal rights.

Just last year, my mom somehow found the note that came with the necklace, a 40-year-old yellowed piece of paper that reads:

“Karen –

This is a rather ‘premature’ gift for Meagan, but tonight with this group seemed appropriate. It seems to me a symbol of many hopes for her future and of what our group is striving for.

Much love & best wishes –

Kathy”

A symbol of many hopes – for me.

For my future.

And for what they were striving for… equal rights for women. Cue my weeping.

I have always loved this necklace, ever since my mom gave it to me as an adult and told me the story of her group and what they were fighting for. The design is of a dove, a symbol of peace and of promise, and at the heart of the dove is the sign of a woman, reminding me of my mom’s love and strength (and my dad’s) and their unwavering support for me throughout my entire life.

In December, I had the symbol tattooed on my inner wrist, where my blood flows to my heart. And now every time I look down, I’m reminded that I am my mother’s daughter. I am my father’s daughter. I see the dove, and I find a sense of peace. I see the sign of the woman, and I am reminded that I am strong and resilient. And I am a force of nature when I need to be.

So, it’s not just a tattoo to me.

It’s who I am and where I come from. It’s a reminder of the kind of person I want to be and the kind of person I want to raise.

It’s a reminder of where I’ve been and what I’ve been through. And a reminder that it’s in the hard, uncertain times that we grow the most and we become stronger than we ever thought we could be.

It’s a reminder that I can face anything, thanks to the love I’ve always had all around me, filling me up. Love that comes not just from my family, but from teachers, from neighbors, from friends.

And from people I never even knew, who were fighting for me and for my future, before I was even born.

Namaste.