SOZO means healed and whole.
That’s how CeeCee felt years after her suicide attempt. What do you do with suicide scars when life is something you dreamed it could be and you don’t want the reminder?
Teenage CeeCee decided she’d had enough and tried taking her life. The attempt landed her in a hospital where she was treated for her physical pain while trying to manage her emotions. Years later, she now has a new life with kids and happiness but still had this nightmare of a reminder on her arm, the scars from her suicide attempt.
That’s when she decided to get a tattoo to cover them up, and this is where the story begins. Here’s her post:
“Today. I went into a tattoo parlor for my tattoo I’ve been wanting forever to cover up scars from hurting myself as a teenager. A compass, but instead of North- South, I have my kids initials.
The tattoo artist opened her shop early just for me. We chatted as she drew out the design. After a moment, she grew silent before blurting out, ‘You know, you remind me of someone I used to know.’
I looked at her carefully. Two of us from such different worlds. ‘Where did you know her from?’ I asked.
She took in a deep breath. ‘From a hospital.’ She said.I felt a tingle down my spine… the one that tells you something big is about to happen. ‘What hospital?’ I asked.
She named the one that takes suicidal teens. My mouth dropped open. ‘I was there too.’
She screamed, ‘I F-ing knew it!’ And grabbed me in the biggest bear hug ever.
Yes. She was there. When I was a teen. When the scars on my arm were fresh and covered in gauze. And now, she was the one to put the tattoo over them that says “Sozo”— healed, whole.
I look at it now… My arm, a place that once represented hopelessness now represents love… More beauty from ashes than I could have ever dreamed.”
SOZO
