36 Comments

This is fucking outstanding.

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Awww, shucks. 😍

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Apr 21Liked by Caroline Donahue

That is gorgeous, Caroline, and the story made me choke up over my coffee. My husband often calls me “beautiful,” and it annoys me because my immediate is response is, “No I’m not.” Good for you for finding a way to reframe things.❤️

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You are totally beautiful, Charla, and I also totally get it. We have the hardest time seeing it in ourselves. ❤️‍🩹

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Thank you for this, Caroline. I loved learning about the reasons behind your tattoos–so beautiful and empowering! (Just like YOU).

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Awww, thanks so much, love. I knew you’d get it 🩷

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Apr 21Liked by Caroline Donahue

Beautiful words, beautiful ink, beautiful you 🧡

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Thank you so much my love. 🩷🩷🩷

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May 8Liked by Caroline Donahue

A beautiful story with a beautiful tattoo! I agree we got to learn so much more about loving ourselves compared to loving others.

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Thank you so much, Rachel. Sometimes it‘s hardest to be kind to ourselves, isn‘t it?

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Apr 23Liked by Caroline Donahue

Love this! Thank you!

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Apr 23Liked by Caroline Donahue

This was really beautiful. When I was younger, in my teens, I had patches of eczema in my inner elbows and behind my knees. It was mortifying to show any skin - and I lived in FL! Fortunately, I don't suffer from it anymore but this essay took me WAY back! Thank you for sharing something so personal.

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It‘s really intense, isn’t it? And wow… in Florida? That must have been sweaty times. I hope you enjoyed checking in with your younger self. 💖

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Apr 24Liked by Caroline Donahue

SO sweaty! 🤣 My younger self was sweet and pretty great. I love her. 💖

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awwww. She sounds amazing. 😍

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Apr 23Liked by Caroline Donahue

What a beautiful piece of writing! And gorgeous tattoo. You are a work of art, Caroline! I remember having insecurities about my body and keloid scars in my twenties that took up way too much space and worry about my worth as someone to date and love. Thank you for sharing this.

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It really takes over your mind and optimism, doesn't it? Thank you so much for your kind words, Jennifer. Glad we've both come through our twenties feeling less scarred about our scars. xx

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Stunning tattoo, poetry in lines and arcs upon your skin. Thank you for sharing your transformation with us. 💕

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Awww, thank you so much love. 💖

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Apr 21Liked by Caroline Donahue

He’s not.

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Not hyperventilating? Phew! 🩷

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Apr 21Liked by Caroline Donahue

What a beautiful piece of writing Caroline. Thank you for posting this personal story and giving us a sneak-peak at the inspired work of art that is your arm. Sending many hugs!

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Thank you! Sending weird sideways hugs back (gotta protect the arm 🤣)

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What a beautiful post and a gorgeous tattoo! 💕 Your writing really hit home with me as I am in a continual battle against skin cancer, and I have many scars from biopsies and excisions. I try not to let it define me, but I grew up and live in SoCal, so ... you know. But I love the idea that you rewrote your story through art!

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Oh love, sending hugs your way. It’s not fun at all. And SoCal makes it harder, especially with the sun you now have to avoid even more. Here’s hoping you come

to the other side of that process soon. 🩷

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Thank you 🥰

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Such a beautiful piece! Congrats on the new ink, especially all that it represents for you :)

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Thank you so much, Sarah. It’s been a beautiful experience.

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Apr 21Liked by Caroline Donahue

I love it love it love it! I also started getting more (and bigger!) tattoos in my mid-late 40s, I also have a crow. Great writing too. Thank you for sharing.

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Woohoo! Delighted to be in the crowd club. There is something about being over 45 that makes you want to do it your own way, right? Thanks for reading.

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Apr 21Liked by Caroline Donahue

What a gorgeous piece (both the tattoo and the story). Congratulations on the new ink. I hope it brings you joy whenever you see it!

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Thank you, love! It does, even as it heals 😍

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Apr 21Liked by Caroline Donahue

I find it bizarre that I was just looking at the rose of Venus YESTERDAY--thinking it was really its own form of sacred geometry (which is really popular for tattoos). And I love astronomy and outer space and tattoos and writing so I guess the algorithm knew.

My husband has eczema that flares up, often on his face or neck, and when I look at him I dont even see it. I see his beautiful brown eyes and poetic smile.

The people who like you, especially love you, will see you that way as well!

Thank you for sharing! Your toos are lovely and so is your journey!

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Thank you so much Marina… we were meant to find each other if you were dreaming about the Rose of Venus… I sometimes think the way I meet people happens that way- nothing comes along in a straight line, except our planning. 🤣

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Apr 22Liked by Caroline Donahue

And the plan may be a straight line but enacting always deviates (at least for me)! 😂

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💯. Absolutely my experience, too.

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