Tattoos are taboo to a lot of people.

They are perceived as a disease infecting the owners skin, a reason to judge a book by their cover and a reason not to employ an individual.

My grandparents despise the fact that I have tattoos. In fact, they refuse to talk about them. At this point, I honestly believe that they are trying to convince themselves that my skin doesn't bare these markings.

I know they love me, and I love them to death. I would do anything for my grandparents because they have been there when life has hit hard. They have supported me throughout my entire life. Yet this is something they won't even touch.

My mom, the greatest person that I have ever known and the one woman in the world that I love more than anyone else, has voiced her disapproval. In her defense, she allowed me to get one, which I did, and at that point she wasn't mad. It was after the second and third where her acceptance took a turn for the worst.

In her mind, I was defiling my body, and tarnishing my purity in the most visual way. I'm not that pure, so I guess the foot fits the boot. I don't get these tattoos for my grandparents or mother's approval. I got these tattoos because they are an extension of myself. My personality and beliefs are ingrained within my tattoos. I don't get them just to get them or because they look cool. I am not asking for attention or glorification. My tattoos are for me and me alone.

Is it selfish? Yes, I do believe so, but hey, I have also supported a few local artists. Am I sorry that I got my tattoos? No. I would get each of them a thousands times over again. To me, it was worth the pain and the scrutiny.

To my family who thinks less of me, I still love you. I will always love you. Family is all that you get in this world. I just want you to feel comfortable with my appearance. I want you to be able to talk about my tattoos. I want you to ask questions and wonder why I got a tattoo. That is what excites me. That is what makes me happy and comfortable within our complex dysfunctional family.

No one likes to walk on egg shells; I know I don't. Family accepts every member for who they are and what makes them unique. At the end of the day, these tattoos will be there for the rest of my life. So I guarantee they aren't going anywhere. At this point, I think you guys should just accept my tattoos. We can move on with life and be functional human beings in this already cruel world.

Also, I give zero !@#$% what you think.

P.S. I may have another one...