The old saying “there are only 2 things in life that you are promised: death and taxes” inspired this piece. Tattooing death on one person’s pinky and taxes on their loved one’s pinky bonds these two together for life and acts as a kind of broken heart friendship necklace. These grim guarantees are something that can bring you down or when you catch a glimpse of your tattoo, you can laugh at the absurdity of the statement and reflect on life’s true offerings.

When I was little, my brothers were gone and my parents and I were sitting by the fire and I said “Ah, it’s just me and us.” I still sleep in my parents’ bed sometimes. Although it is taboo, I don’t think there will ever be an age where I stop. It is my warm, calm, safe haven. I am an adult child – a lot of the time too scared to face reality and responsibilities. But the relationship goes both ways; being empty-nesters, my parents often beg me to sleep with them. No matter how problematic it may be, I love the fact that we comfort each other’s emotional anxieties. I love my parents so much.