My most significant tattoo is my first, and currently my only.  It’s a medium sized blue and green gecko on the inside of my left ankle. I got it because of what it means in my religion.  Geckos stand for over coming strife and obstacles. In the past, I was extremely depressed and had a hard time dealing with the world around me.  My parents had divorced, my father remarried, my mother went through a mental break down and I ended up raising myself from age eight to age sixteen.  I began to be picked on at school and my grades slipped.  Family life became hell and I turned inward.  When I was nine years old I began to cut myself.  My first suicide attempt was at age thirteen, and I was even blamed for other girls in my school cutting themselves, when I didn’t even know who they were. Over the years through hard work, and a lot of love from my friends, I began to climb out of my depressions.  I still fight every day to maintain a healthy relationship with those around me and I have to work not to slip back intoold habits.  The gecko helps me to realize that no matter what, I can over come the strife in the world with help, and determination.  


http://www.behindtheink.com/madhattermery