Hannah Pells turned a pattern of freckles on her forearm into a tattooed Big Dipper to remember her childhood memories and how her experiences helped her see serenity in the world.

Pells grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, about five minutes from the beach. Some of her fondest childhood memories include star-gazing with her father from the driveway of their home.

“We would look up at the stars and look for meteor showers.” she said. “That’s one thing I really miss about home.”

Since third grade, Pells knew she wanted to get a Big Dipper tattoo. She finds stars relaxing. She remembers drawing the lines in between the freckles on her forearm to complete famous grouping of stars.

Her admiration for nature grew as she got older, becoming a symbol of peace in the midst of her busy schedule.

“When I worked at this bar over the summer I would come home, it would be really dark and be very quiet,” she said. “I would get out of my car and just stand there for a while and just enjoyed my evening after a very stressful night.”

Now a junior communication sciences and disorders major at Syracuse University, Pells doesn’t get to enjoy the stars as much as she did at home because of the busy nature of the city. She said that the she is more appreciative of the quiet now because it helps her stay grounded.

After graduation, Pells said she hopes to live somewhere quiet and be able to continue the tradition of looking at the stars with her future children.

Another reason Pells chose her tattoo is in tribute to her favorite movie, “The Lion King.” One of her favorite scenes in the film is when Mufasa tells Simba, “Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember these kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I.”

One of Pells’ best friends died from cancer three years ago, a friend she called her “role model.” Pells said she liked that “Lion King” scene, and choose the Big Dipper tattoo as a reminder that her friend is watching over her.

No matter where Pells is in her life, her tattoo always is a reminder to look to the stars.

“A reminder to always look up and know that there are people looking down on you,” she said.

Published on November 14, 2016 at 12:01 am