Team NSH

I’ve wanted to do this post for a while, and I figured this was as good a time as any.

By now, most of us recognize that mom’s enduring spirit and interminable fight has inspired more than we can count…. not the least of which being her youngest son.

Her strength and resolve has made me do a lot of introspection, hoping and praying that I resemble some of those qualities.  While it’s safe to say that I’ll never match her undying positivity, I think that she has passed some of her traits along.  When things get tough, it’s a natural reaction to focus on the hardships and push aside the internal vow of solution.  Mom does the difficult and focuses on the solution long before the reality of the difficult situation catches up to her.  It’s something I aspire to, and it’s something that I need a constant reminder of.  I cannot ever forget where I come from and who has helped to mold and shape who I am.

And now I won’t ever forget it.

Meet my new friend Paco from Zaza Ink in West Boylston, MA.  Paco was a fantastic tattoo artist who worked diligently to make sure I encountered no side effects during the process.  Because of a minor blood disorder, they had to break up the tattoo job into a couple sessions.  The first one took place just about a month ago.

Session one we had to do the outline.  On the left hand side of the tattoo we included a yellow stripe (which is INCREDIBLY difficult to read) to match the livestrong theme from the shirts.  We called it a day after the outline, and I went back a couple weeks later after the skin had fully healed to get the coloring done.  I went with a black faded to a Carolina Blue on top.  Despite my allegiances to Duke and my intense dislike for UNC, I went with this color because mom’s grandchildren were born there and we all know how much that means to her  (plus it looks pretty cool).

Before:

After:

I debated for a long time about where to put the tattoo.  I needed it subtle enough to be covered in any professional settings, but I also wanted it in a place where it would be seen from time to time.  Despite the prodding from my overly enthusiastic wife to get it in giant script letters from shoulder to shoulder stretching across the back, I ultimately chose the left shoulder.  I will give Jess credit for helping me decide to do this, when she reminded me it was a motto I’ve always aimed to live my life to, and with the meaning attached to mom, it is clearly a statement I’ll continue to live my life towards.  It was a co-worker who actually helped me make the final decision when she said, “If you put it there, your mom will always be close to your heart.”  Sappy for sure, but damn if it isn’t true.

We’re off to Disney this week for a once in a lifetime, unforgettable family vacation.  Mom’s been saving up her energy to take in as much as she possibly can, and I think she’s as ready for the trip as she possibly can be.  We’ll be sure to come back with plenty of pictures to share.

If I don’t post again before Disney, thank you all for everything.  Your support continues to inspire and give us strength through this.

Todd