Ethel the Tatooed Lady

"Joan, do you think you'll ever get a tatoo?"  I've been asked this question once or twice, and it's always followed with, "If you did, what design would you choose?"

I must admit, I've seen some truly gorgeous ink art displayed on my friends' arms, shoulders, ankles, hips, and even hands.  Some of them have chosen really thoughtful, clever, and original designs that completely grasp their personal style.  But I must confess, I honestly don't think it's for me. Let me tell you why...

I once volunteered with an organization designed to aid nursing home residents who had no remaining family members.  The program's aim was simple:  they compiled a list of residents who normally wouldn't have any visitors and assigned them each to a volunteer who would periodically stop in and check on them.  I thought it was a marvelous idea and signed up immediately. After clearing a background check and interview, I was assigned to a woman named Ethel. They gave me her room number along with these simple instructions:  show up, sit with her and talk! From the very minute I walked into Ethel's room, I knew I was going to LOVE this gig!!

She was a slight, thin woman with long, skinny legs and silvery straight hair that just barely brushed her shoulders. Her daily outfit consisted of a v-neck, colorful sweater pulled over a pair of cute, black "Laura Petri" capri pants. Physically, Ethel appeared in terrific shape, but her mental capacity sort of came and went.  This didn't bother her in the slightest.

My favorite thing about Ethel was her former occupation. Are you ready for this?  She was a DANCE HALL GIRL for a traveling carnival!!  AWESOME, right?  It was true, too!  I checked with her social worker and learned Ethel had spent the majority of her life working in carnivals.  When she grew too old to dance, she took on other jobs in the company, but her days onstage were clearly her proudest!

Ethel LOVED to tell stories about her travels and the celebrities for which she danced.  With very little prodding, she'd get up and give you a sample of her "moves," and I never got enough of her performances!  Grinning from ear to ear, she'd stand up, place one hand on her hip, the other behind her head, and begin this amazing belly-dancingesque, pelvic thrusting maneuver that never failed to make me blush!  Then, just like that, she'd bow, grab a cigarette from the nurses desk (she was allowed three a day!) and wave for me to follow her to the back outdoor patio.  After I finished my vigorous applause, I complied!

One visit, after a particularly rousing go-go performance, we were lounging on our usual patio bench when Ethel declared that she was hot (I wasn't surprised, she had just worked up quite a sweat!).  As she pushed up her sweater sleeves, however, I noticed a large black and blue spot on her upper arm.

"Oh my gosh, what happened?" I asked her.  "That's a pretty nasty bruise.  Did you fall?"

Ethel, cigarette dangling from the side of her mouth, looked at me in disgust and replied, "No, silly girl!  That's my TATOO!! Something wrong with your eyes?  It's a heart with an arrow through it!!"  She "tsked" at me, flipped her hair and took another long drag of nicotine.

I apologized and looked back at her arm.  Even though Ethel had not gained much weight in her later years, her skin had definitely sagged.  A lot.  What used to be a beautiful heart was now a large, ugly, black smudge.  I was glad that Ethel still saw her precious heart, but I can assure you, no one else COULD!

So, now, every time I pass a tatoo parlor and gaze at all the intricate, creative designs, I think of Ethel and her "heart bruise."  Then, I keep on walking!!

What about you?  Do you have a tatoo?  Of what?  If you don't, would you get one?  Tell me!!  I'd love to hear!  And, as always,


Thanks for Reading!!