As a nurse practitioner for over forty years, I’ve become fascinated with the stories behind these tattoos. When I began to ask my female patients about their markings, themes of trauma, pain, and loss emerged and the art indelibly marked on their bodies seemed to play a part in their healing and redemption. Compelled by this theme, I pledged someday I would create a photo story book bringing them to life. My partner, Ken Kauffman, added the dimension of a film and Dr. John Giugliano, LCSW added a clinical component.