Project Description
I’ve always loved tattoos and had 4 by the time I was 21. They didn’t mean a lot at the time, young and foolish I suppose, so I decided my next one would be more meaningful and take up more space on my body. I grew up, got married, had a child and on the 12th of April 2015 my families world was broken by the death of my cousin Conor.
He had just turned 20 two days before and was on a trip with his college class in Slovenia, kayaking, mountain climbing, basically outdoor sporting to the max. He was an immensely talented swimmer, he was on the Irish polo swim team, but unfortunately while they were kayaking on a very fast and choppy river he capsized and got caught in some tree branches and vines underneath. His classmates tried desperately to save him but it was too late.
When I heard about his death I howled for the entire night, I couldn’t contemplate the fact that he was gone. Our family was so close, he was like my brother. The one thing we all agreed on was the fact that he died doing what he loved. He wasn’t academic but he loved the outdoors, so he did whatever he had to do to make sure that was where his career was headed. He lived life to the absolute full and it made me want to do more with mine.
I had a very hard time dealing with his death, I still think of him every single day, but I decided to get a tattoo to ease some of my pain. I had Maya draw me up a lotus flower (for strength and spiritual awakening) and I asked her to add in some waves to remind me of Conor’s love of the water. I got the tattoo on my inside right forearm so I would see it all the time and be reminded of him, in the best way possible.
Love you Connie, Suz x