About
So this my blog and I’m going to call it Periwinkle Papillon. Naming this thing was almost as hard as naming my 2 kids, Anna and Jack. So much pressure! Well just like my kids I think I did ok with my choice.
But now, you are probably wondering why Periwinkle Papillon? And if you aren’t and are still reading I don’t know what you will find interesting about what I say next. So… Periwinkle Papillon gives a glimpse into my background. Periwinkle is a beautiful shade of blue (my favorite) and Papillion is french for ‘butterfly’. So, no big deal right?
Well, I’m a pretty conservative looking gal – stay at home Mom of two living in the burbs. I’m in my (gulp) mid-thirties and fairly quiet. BUT when I was 16 my fun loving and outrageous mother turned to me one day and said, “Let’s go get tattoos!” and to this day I still do not know why I answered: “Sure!”
Now not many Moms would encourage their underage teen to go get branded but mine did and it was the best gift she ever gave me.
When we got to Big Joe’s Tattoo palour in her Mercedes sedan we were to say, the least, out of our element. The place was amazing and somehow not at all intimidating. Even the tattoo artist gave us questioning looks as my mom signed the waiver for me to get my first tat. From the thousands, and I mean THOUSANDS, of tattoo images displayed on the walls I honed in a simple, single color butterfly and in my wisdom at 16, I choose to get a tattoo in a place that would not sag with old age or babies.
Ten years later after my mom’s death to cancer, I love the fact that I have this permanent reminder of this one adventure together. I feel connected to her and have a daily reminder that like a butterfly you have to morph and keep flitting about to get through life. Kelly Corrigan said it best in her book LIFT that life is really about flying from one pocket of air to the next, looking for ‘lift’.
And that’s what I do. And that’s what this blog is going to be about. My journey with my Periwinkle Papillion tattoo.
I am not certain how I came to your site (probably twitter). as i sit in my living room, prepping to put our youngest of three boys to bed, i am struck by your stories about your mom. the butterfly tattoo, all of it. although my mom is still (thankfully) with me, your stories remind me how precious the mother-daughter relationship is. cheers to you for putting such eloquent words to such true feelings. AC
Thank you Anne for your kind words. I’m hoping to post many more of my stories with Mom as she was one special lady. I can tell you she would have LOVED your Flynn skirts! Wow those are fantastic! Going to look at the different colors and pick one for myself. Thanks for your comment and hope you check back again soon!
Audrey told me that you were starting this blog. She is right. You are one amazing, creative woman. Your stories of your mother remind me of “Auntie Mame”. I am enjoying your adventures in your life, and especially loved the “stolen” cat (they are so fickle). You almost (I am scared of needles) make me want to take my girls to the tattoo parlor. I hope our bond is as connected as you and your mother’s. So glad to have met you and hopefully we will meet again.
Thank you so much Kathy for your kind words and for following along! I know we both miss our A and I know you have been an incredible friend to her.
I know we will definitely meet again and I’m looking forward to it!
By the way, if you don’t look at the needle it doesn’t really hurt. I promise.