Not many people know why I decided to get my tattoo so here you go:

It was fall of my freshman year of high school, I was just starting out. I was starting the best years of my life. Well what they said was the best years of my life started out to be the worst. My first semester of high school my family lived and cherished each day as if it was the last day that would come. As days went by our hearts took in years of love. When November rolled around we knew that it was close to the end. School started to get harder, my mind thought about everything but school, it was all on you. We went to bed every night not knowing what to expect for the next day. We never thought that the night of November 12, 2011 would be the last night we would all gather as a family with you. We left late that night and in the earlier morning of November 13, 2011 God called you home. You ended your suffering the way you wanted to, peacefully and without worry.

You helped raise me from day one. And as I got older you showed me the ropes from taking the bus grocery shopping, making your delicious fudge and brownies, always having the best juice boxes in the fridge, and showing me how amazing honey was on French fries. You took me to preschool everyday, to the park, and during the summer you took me to the pool to visit grandma and swim all day, yet you never complained. You came and supported all of us in sporting events, school concerts, births of your great children, you were always there for us.

You lived at home until you couldn't then we decided that an assisted living was best for you. The assisted livings became your new home, where you made friends, shared laughs, memories, and even had some champagne for the first time on New Year's Eve. You were my best friend, the one who helped raise me, my strength when I was weak, my safe place. You were welcomed at the gates by your brothers, your parents, and your granddaughter Shannon. We all knew that you were in a better place.

You always told me that butterflies were your favorite. From the time you left us until fall of my senior year of highschool I was thinking of how I could represent you in a way that would always be a part of me. In September 2014, my senior year of highschool, I decided I wanted a tattoo, and that's what I did. I had a butterfly drawn up but one of my closest friends, and just couldn't wait to get it. I went not knowing what to expect due to it being my first tattoo, but I didn't back down.

I have now had this tattoo for two years and do not regret it one bit. It is one thing that means the absolute world to me and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Some people think tattoos are tacky and pointless, some get them because they don't know what else to do with their body. If you looked at me you wouldn't know I had a tattoo because it is hidden. I hide it because its something for me not something to put out in the open and show off.

My tattoo means the world to me, judge me if you want but my Great Grandma gave me her whole world from the day I was born and I will continue to make her proud with every little thing that I do. It's been almost five years since she has been gone but not a day goes by where I don't think about her.