The article explores the author's relationship with their mother, who was a free-spirited individual but struggled to adapt to her children's choices, especially regarding tattoos. Initially shocked by her older son's tattoo in Thailand, the mother's worry centered on health risks. Over time, while her concerns shifted to societal judgments and career impacts, the author embraced tattoos as a crucial aspect of identity. Their communication was strained, particularly due to distance, but tattoos became a way for the author to express themselves, contrasting with their mother's initial perspective on body art.
Mum was never religious, but that night, so concerned Mathew would catch some horrible disease or infection, she prayed.
I was covered neck to toe. Mum wasn't thrilled. From the outside, it was easy to see this as antisocial; a short-term thrill with long-term consequences.
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