My Family is My Strength, 2012
I don’t know if this guy’s a Promise Keeper, or not. Sure
looks like it. He was, in any event, happy to talk to me about his tattoos and
explain their history. The story’s pretty much what you would expect it to be.
He loves his family. They’re everything to him. He has a stomach big enough to
tell everyone how he feels.
This man and his family were visiting Virginia Beach last
week from “near Hot Springs, Arkansas.” It seemed important to him that I
understand that his family is from “near” Hot Spring, not in Hot Springs. Maybe he figures his hometown is just too small for
me to have heard of. Or perhaps he doesn’t like to be associated too
specifically with Hot Springs, the boyhood home of Bill Clinton.
What I do know is that the toddler portrayed in ink over the
man’s heart is now fourteen, but could pass for twenty-two. How do I know that?
Because the boy was standing nearby and told me, without an hint of irony, “Mister,
that ain’t what I look like anymore. I’m fourteen. People confuse me for
twenty-two all the time.” He said all this in a soft, husky voice reminiscent
of no one so much as Bill Clinton.
One thing I can say about people from near Hot Springs: They
don’t take the obvious for granted.
Really nice portrait Chris - did you send it to him? Bet he'd be pleased to display it. Sweet ironic touch to your telling the tale here. Gave me a really nice and warm morning smile. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHahahaaaa. You totally captured him. Big smile; I agree.
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