This is my permanent reminder that no-one will carry me through life but me.

  For at least 5 years now I have thought about this tattoo.  What should it be, where should it be, how should it look, why do it?  The 'SC' with the attaching curve is my own design I created about 6-7 years ago, a symbol that was strictly me.  I chose my shoulder for the tattoo for the meaning of carrying myself, and also so it would not show in everyday attire (unprofessional in my opinion).  The tribal work was done by a local artist to help it wrap my shoulder and flow with my body.  The red/black fading is a favorite pattern of mine and was something I really wanted to do so as not to just have another black tribal tattoo like many others.  

  Yes this is quite the permanent reminder of something I should be able to remember without it, but I also believe in experiencing as many things in life as possible and this was on my list (skydiving or bungee jumping is next).