Have I ever told you that my grandmother was a bird and wildlife rehabilitator? That she also served as President of the Doña Ana County Humane Society for years? That she used to dress up in a giant furry dog costume, visiting all of the local elementary schools (including my own) teaching kids the importance of spaying and neutering their pets? That she eventually became known as the "bird lady" in Las Cruces? That she literally (voluntarily) dedicated decades of her life to nursing thousands of sick and injured birds back to health and re-released them into the wild? That because of her, I got to look straight into the eyes of wolves, eagles, hummingbirds, coyotes, foxes, owls, hawks, doves....that because of her, I respect all life on this planet? Have I ever told you that my grandfather joined NASA at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston in 1962, then in 1963 transferred to the White Sands Test Facility near Las Cruces, known then as the "Apollo Site?" That he served first as Chief of the Test Operations Branch, then as Chief of the Propulsion Test Office, where he oversaw the development and qualification testing of the rocket propulsion systems used on the Apollo Service Module and Lunar Module, leading to mankind's first steps on the Moon in 1969? That following the conclusion of the Apollo Program in 1972, he was responsible for overseeing the testing on all the rocket propulsion systems for the new Space Shuttle Orbiter, culminating with the first Space Shuttle mission in 1981? That he served as the longest-tenured Manager of White Sands Test Facility until his retirement in 1992? That I inherited he and my father's love of space?
My latest tattoo is a tribute to my grandparents, my history, and my passions. It's also a tribute to Jeremy Geddes, whose art I've loved and followed for years.
Thank you to Shanna Keyes at Pens & Needles Custom Tattoo Company for another beautiful addition to my collection.
