“May the dragon of life only roast your hot-dogs
and never burn your buns!”
and never burn your buns!”
I thought long and hard about posting this before I did - it is quite a bit more revealing than I am usually comfortable with - revealing of my flaws that is. But here's the deal ... it's me! I've got almost 44 years, and many stories, on this body. My back tells just a few of them.
That faded tat on the far left? It's an iris. I had it done the summer of 1989 while in the Army in San Antonio. I went to the tat shop with my "foxhole buddy" and he had a tat done at the same time (a dragon you sillies, not an iris). It was a bonding moment. I should have it recolored, but it's almost sacred to me.
That other tat? The lily? It was done the summer of '06 in San Diego. We were on our first vacation as a blended family. I wanted something to symbolize the rebirth of my perceptions of what family really is.
Those scars down the middle of my back? Those are the end result of many summers laying out in the sun basting in baby oil. I was diagnosed with skin cancer in January '07. This photo shows 2 of the 5 permanent reminders that I have to wear SPF 30 whenever I'm outside.
I'm sure if you continue to look, you'll see the stretch marks my son gave me before I ever met him. You'll also notice that the skin is a little saggy, there's a love handle sitting on top of my hips and the muscles lack tone and definition. Flaws? No, these are the stories of my life - the things that make me the woman that I am - and each one makes me just a bit more beautiful and human!
**UPDATE** I've corrupted converted another one! Fairy Flutters, who was once a standard "mommy blogger" (said with great respect), has decided to show another side of herself. She posted her virginal HNT shot today. Some people start of slowly, but not her! She decided to jump in with both feet, but it's not her feet you'll be seeing!
81 comments:
You are simply STUNNING. Love the tats, love the battle scars....perfect.
happyHNT
What?! No way flattering? What are you talking about? This is lovely!!!
HHNT!
Beautiful. So beautiful.
Thanks for sharing.
HHNT!
Wow. You have the most beautiful butt I've ever seen.
Vixen, you are too good to me!
Mariposa, I think you're goofy, but thank you! *grin*
Bliss, there are just some of these HNT's that are a bit more difficult.
Beautiful! HHNT!
Masquerade, maybe this pose is more flattering than I thought!
This was what I was imagining last week! Love all your "flaws"!
Stories. I like that very much. And you look lovely, stories and all. :)
Happy HNT.
Os, in this case I can honestly say the flaws make the woman!
Ms. I, some people write their stories, I wear mine! HHNT!
You look beautiful. I am glad you decided the share this picture and post. Good for you. =D Happy HNT!
Am I spelling "Boi-oi-oiNG" correctly?!?!?
How beautiful. I think it's a wonderful picture.
I see no "flaws" just someone layin there looking rather sexy and its a very beautiful HNT photo.
Happy HNT
You are so very beautiful - and very courageous, sharing your lovely roadmapped skin with us.
HHNT, xx Dee
Dana- your "stories" are flawLESS 2 me. U R absolutely & positively a NATURALLY 100% BEAUTIFUL real woman. I have my share of scars, sags & *mommy stretches & thats why its so obvious you're TRULY (truly*truly) completely gorgeous! Look2 me like a practically perfect @ss ya got back there on ya ; )
Happy GORGEOUS HNT 2 u chickie ; ) i luv your pic & i'm glad u posted! REAL is always the most beautiful! ; )
Thats a very wonderful photo... HHNT
Totally awesome, lovely hmmmm - skinscape? Your story is in
Kiwianaspiring.
They are not flaws, it is called character. There is nothing more beautiful than a body that has lived a little. I love the tats, and I have scars similar to yours and for the same reason.
Happy HNT
The stories of your life...I like that...and the picture. ; ) Cheers Dana!!
Lushlyme, thank you! HHNT!
Amorous, I'm guessing my stories are similar to those of many 40-something women.
Matty, I think you spelled that right - either that or you called me a 747.
Joy, thank you!
Mike, we do tend to be our own worse critics, don't we?
Dee, this one did take a wee bit more courage than the others!
I smile, if there is one thing I am it's real!
Nauty K, thank you! HHNT!
Karen, skinscape! I like that!
Dana, we are indeed our own worse critics, i`m the same with my body too :(
Adam Apple, some days I do feel like quite a character!
Matt-Man, wanna be the next chapter? *wink*
I am, it's, you seem to be such a beauty Dana beyond the obvious. Well done.
Mike, HNT is a funny thing. Many, many young(er), absolutely gorgeous women (and men) out there posting phenomenal pics. Sometimes it's just a bit intimidating.
You can do side-bends or sit-ups, but please don't lose that butt!
Very nice!
Dana, yes it can be very intimidating indeed, but HNT isn`t a beauty contest, its about REAL people and there bodies and that`s why i love it and am now taking part, scars and all!
I think it tells a nice story! I also think that its a story any guy would be crazy not to hear and explore. Happy HNT!
Flyinfox_SATX
As far as physical flaws go, you don't have very many I can see!
Lu, sometimes the stories beneath the surface are just as beautiful!
Corky, I couldn't lose that butt if I tried!
Mike, of course you are right - HNT is so much more!
Happy HNT Dana.
I like the definitions of Dana!
Flyinfox, if there is one thing I have it's stories, and proof to back them up!
Buff, thank you!
I think you look fantastic for 44. Everybody has flaws it's just a matter of whether we hate them or embrace them. That is what makes us beautiful.
HHNT
Beautiful picture! and I don't see no stretch marks, or flaws!!!!
Very nicely done.
I'm gonna keep looking, but I don't see any flaws.
Beautiful post, both in words and visually.
Micky, definitions of Dana - I kinda like that!
Naughty-i, I think that's a compliment so I'll take it that way *wink*
Bina, you're not looking very hard, are you??
RLL, stop looking now, before you ruin it for yourself!! *giggle*
can i get new glasses around here? i think i might need new ones as i keep popping back to get another closer look and keep hitting my glasses on the screen ;)
Beautiful if you ask me....scars are stories and prove you have lived life. Not always fun but thought provoking and real. And those would be great places to kiss!
HHNT!
"Flaws? No, these are the stories of my life"...I completely understand that statement and whole heartedly agree! How beautifully put. Bravo again sister!
What flaws. You look great.
every time I visit the dermatologist I wish I could go back in time and put some sunscreen on, but we just didn't know about it back then. I think you look great. and I love the butt!
HHNT!
Mike, maybe you should have that prescription checked!
atllg, that kissing thought is a nice one!
tt, thank you!
Richard, I guess the really are experience, not flaws!
Hank, I figured after hiding it last week maybe it was time to let it peek out!
A great photo accompanied by a wonderful story. This is the best HNT entry we've seen so far today. Thank you for sharing.
I can only hope I look that good in 10 years. I love the stories behind the characteristics of your body. They are a part of what makes you, you. Beautiful picture and more beautiful post.
whooot whooot...way to go....I see paris I see france I see dana with no under pants....
You.
Are.
Perfect.
:)
You are amazing. So brave and so beautiful.
The Japanese notion of wabi-sabi teaches us to find beauty in those so-called flaws and mperfections. That's one of the great things about HNT, too, isn't it?
HHNT!
I have three melanoma scars... I'm seven years in since my surgery, and I also have one on my back! The second and third are on my arm and my body. With you on the SPF , although I go for Factor 50! I love your tattoos... I'd like to have a daisy, but I just can't decide where!
All the rest... beautiful - they tell the story of life and what it's all about! xx
Happy HNT!
Ummm ... I'm not seeing any flaws at all. And I looked pretty hard too. ;-)
G & S, thank you! Sometimes the words are just as difficult to post as the pic itself!
Apple, it is amazing just what can (and does) happen in a decade!
DB, you always crack me up! (Ha! I said "crack")
Claudia, thank you!
Karen, this one really did take some bravery.
H & L, HNT really is about so much more than the flesh and every week I gain a little more understanding of that.
Helga, go get that daisy!
Jay, what is that spot on the lower right hand corner of your screen? See it?? Here's to a little PT!
I just love how a body is a roadmap of our lives. I love it! You are beautiful! HHNT
I've been looking at this amazing picture and I just can't find a flaw. Your HNT gets better every single week.
I hate to think what stories my body would tell. You, though, you have nothing to hide :)
Happy HNT!
I love your words...because you are so correct. Our bodies show our life...good, bad, or whatever...
You have nothing to be ashamed of...
I agree w/ the previous commenter, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I love your flower tats.
You inspired me to join HNT. I figure my blog could use a little shaking up. LOL!
I can sense the courage that it took to post this photo but I hope the responses show you that you had nothing to be afraid of. It's a lovely picture and story. Happy HNT
This is a lovely pic---just beautiful and very sexy.
HHNT
Dana, I think you're beautiful both inside AND outside.
For some reason i cannot see the pic. but I am so Jealous, I will be comfortable with my body one day and will be in on this.. LOL!!!
S.
Hey Dana,
There's always something so... cool about over-the-shoulder photography like that. It's even nicer when you look like you. (And just for the record it's off to yet another appointment with liquid nitrogen and a q-tip for me on Monday. Love that sunshine, huh?)
But overall (or, in your case, over-shoulder) Happy HNT. :-)
figleaf
HNT is always better when a story goes with it. Nicely done!
Beautiful Dana... Maybe I'll get my inspiration back.
Your iris tattoo made me tear up. It's exactly what I've wanted for so long. They are special between my mother and I.
I see we have a common perfection...freckles! Lots and lots of freckles. I had skin cancer, too.
Mina, I think my body map is of a downtown metropolis.
Knight, thank you!
Ro, I certainly can't hide all of the stories.
Bond, I think the words may have been more important than the pic this week.
FF, I'm glad you decided to make the leap.
Lapis, sometimes it's good to see things through less critical eyes.
Turnbaby, thank you!
Tali, thank you too! Sometimes I just have difficulty matching the inside with the outside.
Cinder, HNT forces you to be a little more comfortable in your body.
Figleaf, it seems many share our plight.
Tug, the story was very important to me this week.
Anndi, I wish you would become inspired again - I miss your HNT's.
Biscuit, I seem to grow even more freckles as I get older, but refuse to call them age spots *wink*
Naw i don`t need my prescription checked, just must learn not to look as you too closely but thats going to be hard when you post such wonderful pictures!
You are waaaay braver than me :p It's a beautiful picture and does tell about you as a person.
Mike, you're making me blush!
Lynea, be brave!!
Since I stole your idea yesterday I tried to make up for it today. Sorry!!!
I have to wear at least 30. I'm a natural red-head and have very white skin.
I won't even go in the sun at all if I can help it. I'll go out after 4, but still covered up. I get sunburned very easy.
Happy HNT!
You're so brave! Knight's post led me to check this one & I was expecting scars, like the kind I get from colliding with things---yours are more like poetry.
Beautiful post & photo.
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