On May 7, 1999 an incredible women was taken from her family far too early. In memory of my mother Bernice Oliphant I had this tatoo designed and inked based on my drawing shortly after. The ivy leaves represent my mother who switched her first and middle name when she was quite young. The barbed wire represents the ties that bind and sometimes strifes the relationship between son and mother. The peace symbol is self explanitory, Psalms 23:4 is my favourite verse from the bible. The verse tells us not to fear the unknown certainties that come with the passing of a loved one and even when things look their bleakest their is always someone willing to light your way. The word "kid" is something that you will always be called by your family no matter how old you get when your the youngest of ten in total. Mothers Day should be celebrated every day and childhood memories should never be allowed to fade.
One of my favourite poems that deals with memories of family good times is "O for an hour of childhood!"
Ford, Samuel Payne
O for an hour of childhood!
On of those olden hours
When life was bright with sunshine,
And garlanded with flowers;
Ere the happy family circle,
That sat by the old stone hearth,
Was tearfully torn asunder
And scattered about the earth.
Could my childish wish be granted,
And Time turn back in his flight;
Which one of those hours of gladness
Would I have return to-night?
They are all of glad remembrance,
Though a few are dimmed with tears;
Say, which of those precious moments
Shall I call from the mist of years?
Shall I ask for the festal evening,
When father, and mother, and all
Were gathered together rejoicing
In the crowded Christmas hall?
And the gay, glad hours flew speedily,
With music and mirth, and chat?
Ah, no! for i see in the distance
A pleasanter hour than that.
Shall I ask for a summer morning,
When the birds are singing of love,
With never a cloud to darken
The bright blue sky above?
And trip with my little sister
All over the verdant lawn,
Plucking the flowers that blossom
As day begins to dawn;
And then spring cheerily forward
To the top of the pine-clad hill,
To see the sun rise in his beauty?
There are happier moments still.
Shall I ask for a time so often
Enjoyed in the "long ago,"
When after an hour's careering
So merrily over the snow,
An army of laughing loved ones,
All happy, and merry and strong,
We cheerfully tuned our voices
And joined in some sweet old song?
O! passing pleasant those hours were,
Nor shadowed by one regret,
Still ever there cometh the memory
Of holier moments yet.
May I have but one hour only?
I would have one most like heaven,
One calm, sweet hour, with all at home
On some quiet, Sabbath even?
Would list again to the voice of prayer
From hearts to God devoted,
And join again in the songs of praise
That round the old rooms floated?
Would kneel again at my mother's knee,
Beneath her smile of light,
And fall asleep with her lips on mine,
Kissing a fond "good-night"?
Later,
Kenaz
