Honoring Stories

Journal Entry #5

As of today, I have talked with four participants; my daughter Symarah, Mikayla, Chanel, and this weeks participant Bailey. I have to tell you I am so happy to have chosen the direction of focusing on women. So far my participants have all been young women, which has been interesting for me. It is a great reminder of how much depth and soulfulness that can be expressed in today's youth. Especially with Chanel and Bailey, two young women I have just met. Their openness to share their intimate stories with me is very courageous and surely will touch the hearts of others. 

I realized that this is one of the beautiful things about women and their tattoos. Women are naturally passionate creatures in everything they do, so why would it be any different when it comes to their tattoos. Women share. And I think most want a space where they can be authentic and reflect upon where they have come from. For many, the Ink is symbol of their story. 

This  openness is actually essential to me as a writer as it gives heart to the content. On my first creative journalist project, Church Street ...Where Hope Grows, I had interviewed over fifty people that lived or worked in the inner city area called Church Street. After interviewing them, I would take their stories and turn it into poetry and prose. Some of the meetings became very intense emotionally. At first I thought that was because I am an empath, meaning it is easy for me to plug into the emotions of others, but as time went on, I realized it was the pockets of emotions being released by the participants. Many people really opened up and shared a beautiful part of themselves. I was humbled and honored throughout the process of creating the book. And from what I am experiencing so far in this new journey, it is the same. 

I had a woman tell me once, that people should never let their stories die within them. I truly hope that I am able to honor many women by creating a safe space where they can share their stories and the symbols they chose to reflect them.  And in turn, I will do the same. 

#stories  #women  #leanin  #womensharing  #womencaring  #reflections  #tattoos  #symbols  #bodyart

The Dove

At the age of eighteen I decided to get the dove tattoo. At that point it had been six years since my mother had died; she passed away when I was twelve years old. The dove is a symbol of my mother. I never really got to know her because she struggled with drugs and addictions. She was trapped in a life style that she could not leave. When she passed away she became free from the addictions, free from her life; now she’s able to fly away and to move on. Because I grew up in foster care, the idea of family is really important to me.  And now I have a beautiful daughter. The bond between mothers and daughters is strong. My mother wasn’t able to be with me, but now every time I look into the mirror, I am reminded of her, and my feelings for her. It is healing. It seems that the dove does bring peace. 
I have three other tattoos, but I think my favorite is the one written across my chest “One Life One Chance”.  It’s a reminder to live your best life. 

The tattooist is my friend Irvin Badarm. It took about two hours to have it done. It hurt just a little, but it really wasn’t bad. I decided to have the dove on my face because that was the place that felt right for me. I chose to have it in traditional black lines because I like to keep it clear and simple. The lines are bold and stand out. The other day a lady saw it and asked if it was a dove, and then told me how she really loved it. That was really nice. It feels good to have others compliment it. Tattoos are art on the body. A woman shouldn’t have to hide her tattoos. They are meant to be seen. 

~ Chanel Thom

To contact Chanel you can visit her at her Face Book page and send a friend request. 

Chanel would like her shout out to go to the Edmonton's Youth Empowerment & Support Services. By helping to empower our youth we are investing in everyone's future.  

Youth Empowerment & Support Services     

#dove  #tattoo  #bodyart  #women  #womenwithtattoos  #mothers  #daughters  #family