A dragon?

That’s what I thought to myself when she first told me. That, along with a million other mom thoughts that happen when your 20-year-old declares that a new tattoo is coming.

However, she and I have developed quite a solid, trusting relationship through the years.

We are at a place where she can know that I’d rather she didn’t, but I can still be happy for her when it turns out exactly as she needed it to.

She understands herself, and that is a life goal many never achieve.

When I asked her to put the reasons behind the dragon, she sent me this…

I’ve been poked, prodded, and cut open my entire life, and I’ve never wanted any of it. I needed to do it to survive.

I am 20 and covered in scars that bring those memories back every day. So, I decided I needed to pick what happened to my skin for once, and that’s how my love for tattoos began.

It became a way for me to tell my story and show people what I was about when they saw me. I got to define myself and what I wanted to see on me as well as what I wanted others to see.

This time I picked a medieval dragon design, and I am over the moon with my artist and how it came out.

I spent a lot of my youth feeling weak, broken, and frustrated I couldn’t protect myself, all while reading through fantasy books faster than most could think. So, I got a dragon done because it was always my favorite creature and it was the epitome of strength, with impenetrable scales, and fire breath that meant no one could mess with it. I want to be that, and it’s my everyday reminder to work to a place where I have scales strong enough that no one can mess with me and fire breathe that allows me to take care of myself and keep my mind and body safe.

Oh, and the three stars are for our family of three…

It is impossible not to be proud of her, and grateful for the relationship we have.

Cowden Syndrome can be very cruel. But, my warrior kid is out there every day…

#beatingcowdens

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.