*Disclaimer: This post is about tattoos. I do not know your personal opinion of tattoos, nor am I trying to change your mind. I am merely sharing my why and a little behind the meaning and personal significance of my favorites.

I am not sure where you stand on tattoos, but I have them and each one signifies something specific, someone special, or marks a moment in time. For example, I have a J followed by Morse Code for S (…). I Chose this last summer because I needed a reminder not of my love for Jason because that was and continues to be deep and everlasting. I also did not choose it to remind me of the fight we were fighting. I chose this as a reminder to choose joy, to embrace the journey, and to always lean on Jesus. The Morse Code for S (…) because it has three dots. These dots signify each person in our little family, Jason, Me and our girl. Of course the added bonus now is that it can remind me of the life and love we shared for 28 years. I must say that this tattoo is one of my favorites. It is simple and yet elegant. It wasn’t something I found on Pinterest or a Google search. It was hand drawn on me the moment I stood in the tattoo shop. So now you know why this one is special.

If you know me personally, then you know this is not my only tattoo. I have several others ranging from beautiful flowers, to an outline of glasses frames, a heart, a note in my dad’s handwriting, and also two words that read: even if… just to name a few! Again, each one holds a special meaning to me. I have never just gone to get a tattoo of something that wasn’t meaningful or in a way memorialized those I loved and still love.

Now that you understand my why on tattoos, I want to talk about marigolds. When you research the meaning of marigolds, you get some of the following: 

• Marigolds represent power, strength, and light.
• The marigold is very often associated with the sun.
• Marigolds in a tattoo can signify grief.
• Marigolds are the October birth flower.
• Marigolds can signify devotion, commitment.

Marigolds are those beautiful flowers that you typically see in the big pots or barrels in front of people’s homes. I typically notice them the most in the fall, though they bloom in other seasons as well. They come in vibrant yellows, oranges, and deep reds among other colors. They always make quite the impact on the landscape where they are planted while they are in bloom.

Jason’s life was way too short. That being said, he made an impact in the landscape where he was planted. He was intentional to sow into others lives so that his legacy would far outlast him. He was strong, his light was bright (even if his wardrobe did not reflect it), and he deeply loved his Heavenly Father. So, in honor of Jason, I have added a marigold to the memorial “garden” I am planting on my arm. It is a continual work in progress, but each flower, each tattoo is meaningful and I can point to them and tell you the story of each one.

So, why would my newest piece be a marigold? 

• Jason’s birthday was in October. 
• I have been on a grief journey since last July.
• I will always remember the devotion and commitment that we shared in our relationship.
• I have and will continue to remain devoted and committed to my Heavenly Father. No death can sway my belief that He is good, that He is faithful, and that He always keeps His promises.
• Power, Strength and Light are all wonderful descriptors of my Heavenly Father. He is omnipotent, He is strength all the time and gives us strength when we need it the most, and He is light because where He is there can be no darkness.

Again, this is not a commercial endorsing tattoos. I will leave that decision and discussion to you and your family. This is just a little peek into my why. A look into some of the special memories that I carry with me daily.

How do you choose to remember moments and remember those you have loved and still love today?

How do you choose to remember how much your Heavenly Father loves you and wants to be the power, strength, and light in your life?