For years I’ve quietly held a vision in my heart: a tiger tattoo to be added to my back tattoo collection which is already such a vivid, interwoven storyline of my spiritual awakening and transformation.
An image of a fierce, graceful tiger has lived in my photo gallery all this time—an emblem of courage and grounding energy, waiting for the right moment.
Here’s my back
Today that moment arrived in the most unexpected way.
My daughter Milla stopped me in the kitchen and beaming, a sheet of paper in her hands.
She shyly announced that she wants to start practicing tattooing on fake skin and has been drawing new designs.
When she turned the page toward me, my spirit practically sang.
It was a tiger.
Bold. Fierce. Alive.
The very symbol I’ve been saving for years as my next tattoo
And here’s the twist that still gives me chills: without ever seeing my saved image, Milla’s drawing carried a power and personality that instantly felt more me than the reference I’d been keeping.
I loved her tiger more than the one I’ve cherished all these years.
In the bottom corner of her drawing were her initials—MS—a small signature with big meaning.
It wasn’t just a sketch; it was her heart speaking through ink.
The Meaning Beneath the Stripes
Tigers have always represented courage, independence, and primal strength.
But this tiger carries another layer: it’s a living bridge between mother and daughter, a creative dialogue etched on paper and destined, perhaps, for my skin.
Every tattoo I wear tells a story of transformation.
This one would hold the story of generational artistry, of a daughter’s talent rising to meet a mother’s long-held dream.
It’s not just a tattoo—it’s a legacy.
A Shared Journey
Milla’s decision to explore tattooing feels like a cosmic confirmation that creativity runs in our blood.
I’ve been turning my body into a sacred canvas for years.
Now, she’s beginning her own journey of intentional self-expression.
To see her step forward so boldly—pencil in hand, initials proudly signed—fills me with hope and pride.
It reminds me that our art is not just something we create; it’s something we live.
Next Steps?
I’m envisioning a future where Milla’s tiger, complete with her tiny “MS,” becomes part of my body’s ever-unfolding story.
A permanent collaboration.
A roar of love and courage—hers and mine—forever entwined.
🌸 Reflection Prompt for You
When was the last time you got a tattoo? Something for you in a way that gave you chills? Pause, breathe, and honor that moment. It’s evidence that you are not alone—you are guided and you could wear your strength on your skin.
✨ Jenn Sher | The Divine
