Two years ago I got my first and thus far only tattoo. It’s a Celtic knot that connects around my right bicep, or what has been more commonly referred to as my “dyke-band.” And while some have considered my motivation for getting it part of my “freak out” for turning 30, I argue it was a carefully thought out decision that was years in the making.
The significance aspects of the tattoo is threefold.

• I’m very proud of my Irish heritage. Therefore, I wanted an emblem that was significant to my family’s history.
  
• It’s a Celtic knot that has no beginning and no end. For me, this represents a truth: that every ending is a new beginning.
  
• The band is around my bicep to remind me that every new beginning has made me stronger.

This past year has been filled with lots of new beginnings, however some of them I admit have been more challenging than others. Doors closing are painful, especially if it feels as if they were slammed in your face without a care or concern in the world.
Part of life is learning how to pick yourself up off the floor, brush off the dust, and continue on. It’s a skill I believe I’ve mastered over the past (almost) 32 years. Possibly, it’s a jaded perspective, but I’ve come to expect that people (friends, lovers, family members) will screw you over in the end. And while I can’t anticipate it, nor do I want to close myself off, because not everyone in my life has ill intentions, is selfish, or immature, the Ace I have in my back pocket is I will survive if it does.
From these doors closing, wonderful things have come into my life, such as moving to Washington, D.C., riding my motorcycle, coxing and rowing with DC Strokes, writing for a variety of blogs, as well as meeting all kinds of new and interesting people.
Allowing new doors to open gave me the opportunity to get to know a lot of the guys on DC Strokes while spending a weekend together at Rehoboth Beach. It also taught me that I can train myself to wake up at 4:30 every morning as well as be willing to go to bed by 9 PM. I’ve gotten to meet all kinds of amazing women who ride with Dykes on Bikes; women who helped make this past Saturday’s Capital Pride special.
What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. Yes, that’s a bit extreme. Doors closing, or being slammed, won’t kill me. But losing people you’re close with certainly knocks you to the floor. But I’m still standing and will remain standing. I’m stronger than I yet know.
Every ending is a new beginning and I’m opening the door to another wonderful, new adventure. So let me say, thank you for the opportunity. I will make the most of it while savoring every minute.
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