When my talented web designer, Justin, created a new logo for Sister Rain, I knew as soon as I saw it in its completed form that one day I would have it tattooed on the inside of one of my wrists. I spent a decade trying to determine what my purpose was after my vision loss, which sounds very woo-woo, but it is the truth. Could I have returned to corporate America in some fashion? Yes. But my time in the meeting planning field was over. This thing had happened to me, and although I am not sure if I subscribe to “everything happens for a reason,” I did know for certain that I needed to be doing something related to suddenly losing most of my sight.
But what? The decade that it took to figure that out was painful. I felt broken when I became visually impaired, not physically, although that was true, but mentally and emotionally. Something told me that I wouldn’t feel whole again until I found the thing that I should be doing.
Just like in songs and movies, what you are looking for is often right in front of you. Creating this website in 2010 pre-vision loss, continuing to write post-vision loss, I eventually took a few years off for no particular reason. Once I had made the decision to return, I hired Justin at Nowak Creative Studio to design a logo and redesign the website, a financial investment that I was willing to make. Sister Rain, a website that began as a way to document searching for a job during a recession, was no longer a hobby, but the what I had been searching for since the morning I woke up blind.
The hunt began to find someone to do the tattooing. As with anything, it’s who you know. I asked people who have tattoos for recommendations, all roads were leading to the studio Atomic Lobster.
Their website invites you to come in for a consult and to look around. Entering the studio, my husband and I both immediately noticed how bright it was, how neat and clean. The owners, Sean and Tara, were busy with other customers, pens in hand. They called for someone not in the main room, and a gentleman came out, extending a hand to introduce himself as Dan. “I am thinking of getting my first tattoo,” I said, immediately correcting myself. “I am GOING to get my first tattoo.”
Showing Dan the logo, I gave him the Hex # of Sister Rain blue (think Pantone colors). It was important to me to duplicate the color since I only see certain shades of blue, especially this one. Explaining this to Dan, he kindly informed me that they have standard ink colors but not exact matches. He assured me, however, that he would get as close as he could. I was a little concerned about this but my instantaneous trust and confidence in Dan counteracted that worry.
After asking how long it would take, what the cost would be and aftercare, I made an appointment for two weeks later. On the way home, I emailed Dan the artwork for my logo.
I had made the commitment to Sister Rain – to myself – two years ago. It was time to put that covenant in ink.
For Part 2, click here.
For Part 3, click here.
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #writer #writersofinstagram #humaninterest #life #lifeisgood #lifestories #behindthescenes #bts #atomiclobster #nowakcreativestudio #atattooinbluepart1
