Inky Goodness and a tribute

My lovely husband and I had a deal that since he got tattoo'd last, it is my turn next. He was tattoo'd almost 4 years ago and I still was hanging out for that PERFECT tattoo. Well I am so pleased that I did wait. My Grandfather passed away recently. I was absolutely blessed to have spent time with him on his last days, but I am also realising just how much his company meant to me over the years. He has always been the silent pillar in the background. Never overstated, but always needed. Over the last 2 years my family and I have spent time getting to know this amazing man. He was strength in human form. At 92 he still went on adventures, walking up town with his walker for support, it was no mean feat. He was incredible. I will never forget, on one visit a woman was being pushed in a wheelchair, he said to me that he would never be like that, and he never did!! It was his birthday in February, and 2 weeks later he had a stroke. He was transferred to hospital and we were incredibly surprised yet not really shocked that he rehabilitated. He spent a month or so getting back his abilities, even though they weren't as they were, he did pretty well. A week after returning to his home, he decided to stop taking his medication. He was ready, it was enough. I visited with him while my older son was on school holidays, not something I found easy, so usually waited until school went back. We opened his door and my son wouldn't enter. It was a bit of a shock to see my Grandpa in such a state, but I showered love on him. The nurses took B to play Trouble with some other residents and he was incredible, he gave me 2 and a bit hours with my Grandpa, I was so proud of my boy. A nurse who was caring for Grandpa felt that that day was probably going to be his last. My Aunt was arriving that day and I asked Grandpa to hold on a bit longer. I held his hand and shed tears for an old digger, a man who spent 3 long years as a prisoner of war when he was not long into adulthood. I shed tears for the loss I would experience, the hole he would leave. I asked him to be strong and if he needed to go, I would understand and we would love him forever. At the end of my visit it seemed like he roused from sleep, it was amazing. I said goodbye to him, that I would be back later. He said goodbye! He hadn't been very verbal since his stroke so it was a beautiful moment that I will cherish. I thanked him and told him I loved him. He looked me in the eyes, I knew he felt my love. That night my Aunt and I spent some lovely time together with him, and later together. The experience has bought me closer to her, I am really thankful for that. We have always known her presence, but distance and other factors didn't allow us to create as strong a bond as we have now. Another thing my Grandpa has given to me. I spent some time with him again on Saturday evening, it was my Grandparents ritual to have 5pm beers. I happen to be there at that time and I reminised with him about my memories and what they both gave to me. Something made me think of notes in music. Alone they don't have much meaning, but collectively they make beauty and create a song. It is how I felt about people in my life, both passed and present. They all give me something that I will take with me, and pass to future generations. When I received a phonecall from my Aunt on Sunday morning, I knew what it was about. Grandpa had passed in his sleep. At 92 he chose his path. I was at peace because I knew he was at peace. What a blessing! Sunday night I spent a bit of time on the net and found a quote- We Are Made One with What We Touch and See by Oscar Wilde We shall be notes in that great Symphony Whose cadence circles through the rhythmic spheres, And all the live World's throbbing heart shall be One with our heart, the stealthy creeping years Have lost their terrors now, we shall not die, The Universe itself shall be our Immortality! I knew it was what I was looking for, it expressed what I felt with my Grandpa and his place in my life. I read it at his funeral, which was a moving and beautiful ceremony. A week later I headed into town to go bed shopping, instead I walked into a tattooist. I told them what I wanted and an appointment was available on that day, for 1pm. The same time the ceremony began the week before.

I celebrate life with this tattoo, I rejoice in knowing influencial people and their love for me. I forever hold them in my heart (which is where this tattoo is placed, over my heart)