Looking for ideas

This might get a little long, so I'll apologize in advance. A little over a year ago, I went through an experience that effected me a great deal. I am a carpet installer in the Richmond, VA. area. One day, I got to the shop that I do the majority of my work through and found the manager of the store lying on the ground face down. He was still alive but didn't make it. He'd been shot four times, one through the lung, which killed him. Turns out another installer, who Jason had been forced to tell to hit the road, did it. I wasn't real close to Jason, only knew him for around a year, but we had alot in common and I did consider him a friend. This tattoo would be more about what I've been through because of this experience than memorializing Jason, but I may want to include something for him in it. I had alot of guilt intiallly because I could have left the house about 10 minutes earlier than I did, but chose not to because I knew I'd have to wait for my help, so I sat and watched the news a little longer. I'll never know if that time would have made a difference and no matter what anyone tries to tell me about the fact that I can't change it, or I could have got caught in the middle of it or whatever, I'll always wonder. It's also made me realize that you never know what can happen and how stupid and crazy some people can be. The other part of this is something that I still have a hard time accepting, because I never used to believe in this sort of thing. After I met Jason's family and answered some questions for them, they told me that I helped them a great deal to get through this because they had assumed that Jason was dead when I got there and they feared that he had died alone. They were very thankfull that I was there. When I left the funeral home after talking to them, I felt like a very large weight, as they say, had been lifted and I have had this overwhelming feeling like Jason has been looking after me ever since. It's not all the time, but many times if I'm going through problems with work or with my wife or whatever it may be, I'll suddenly feel him help me sort it out in my mind. Like I said, I never believed in a "guardian angel" before but it's hard to ignore when it seems to happening to me. So, I've been trying for quite a while to come up with something for a tattoo and I'm having a hard time. I'm not the most creative person in the world to begin with and I don't know a great deal about the different symbolisms so I thought I'd look to some of you for some help. I defenitely want something unique. I don't want to copy something. Also, I do have a tattoo of two horses running through a creek on my left shoulder blade area if that makes any difference. Thanks, Kory Fox

Maybe I should start out this way. What, if any, animals would symbolize a guardian? I don't really want to do the traditional guardian angel type thing. I like realistic animals tattoos and am thinking going that route with it. Kory Fox

According to native mythology (http://www.nativeonline.com/animal.htm) the frog is a guardian animal: the croaking of frogs will serve as a warning of an approaching stranger. Here are some other animal symbology: (http://www.manataka.org/page30.html) SYMBOLS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE Northwest BEAVER Creative, Artistic and Determined BEAR Strength, Learned Humility, Motherhood, Teaching BUMBLEBEE Honesty, Pure Thinking - Willingness and Drive COPPER Wealth and Prestige DOGFISH Persistence and Strength - A Born Leader DOVE Love, Gentleness and Kindness DRAGON FLY Ever-changing Life EAGLE Great Strength, Leadership and Prestige EAGLE FEATHER Good Luck to Both Giver and Receiver FROG Spring & New Life - Communicator, Stability HALIBUT Life protector, Strength and Stability HAWK Strength Far Sighted HERON Patience, Graceful and Easy Going HUMMINGBIRD Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger KILLER WHALE Traveler & Guardian - Symbol of Good KINGFISHER Luck, Patience, Speed and Agility LOON Peace, Tranquility - Generous Giving Nature MOON Protector and Guardian of the Earth by Night OTTER Trusting, Inquisitive and Bright - Loyal Friendship OWL Wisdom RAVEN Creation & Knowledge - Bringer of the Light SALMON Dependability and Renewal - A Provider SEAL Bright, Inquisitive, Organized SUN Healing Energy, Guardian of the Earth by Day THUNDERBIRD Powerful & Mystical - A Leader WOLF Intelligence & Leadership - Strong Sense of Family Hope maybe that helps.

Thanks. I'm not much into frogs. I'll keep trying to come up with something. Kory

Id get an eagle or a hawk soaring over the two horses

Almost any animal can be a guardian.... what animals are you fond of?

Personally I would get something egyptian having to do with this and then the afterlife.. that's just me though.. Craig www.creativecutgems.com

The eagle or hawk above the horses is not a bad idea. Unfortunetly the horses are too high up on my back. Not enough room above them. The egyptian stuff I don't know much about. I'd have to learn a little more about that. If you can point me to any websites that would be great. Kory