Hi there.

I put you there for a reason and I know I wasn't supposed to, but I did it anyway. It's been very hard to explain why I did it, but I can tell you it's been worth it. I can't see you because you're behind my ear, but no matter where you are on my body, I always feel your presence. You define my religion and show that I am Catholic, but you also highlight my belief in God and my happiness, regardless of which God that is. I am thankful that God is present in my life.

I was like any other "regular" Catholic and still am, I went to CCD and went to church on the major holidays, but was never fully invested in God - until the time he saved me. I lost myself in homesickness when I started college; I wanted to give up, pack up, and go home. But because of God, I didn't. At this time, when I learned to completely crash and burn, I found my faith and found a permanent way to define that through the cross that resides behind my left ear. Without the light at the end of the tunnel that God showed me, I probably wouldn't be where I am right now.

“Pray without ceasing" - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Small tattoos always seem so generic. They're easy to get, usually very tiny, and inexpensive. Sometimes they have no meaning. Sometimes you just get the small symbols just get them. But behind my small and generic tattoo, there is a meaning. My cross represents the chance that God gave me to get over my homesickness and him telling me to give college a chance. It's there to show that he is always going to be a part of me. Thanks to God I reflected, and he showed me that this hardship was my chance to become a stronger individual. God told me that I could do this and showed me the path to understanding and so I did it.

My cross is a replication of the gold cross I wear around my neck. Thanks to my little generic tattoo, I am now comfortable taking it off, because I know that God is with me even when he's not around my neck because he will forever and always be a permanent part of my body. Religion will guide you if you let it. My generic cross tattoo represents more than just a symbol, but it promises me that God will always be there for me. He has gotten me through and will get me through the hardest times of my life.

“I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

And so guide me little cross tattoo. Thank you for all you have done and all you will do.