Tattoos and Judaism

Everyone wanted tattoos in middle school and high school. I never did. I did want a lip ring, but not enough to consider it. Then I thought I wanted to be a psychologist and any visible piercings or tattoos were out the window. Out of sight, out of mind.
I don't remember when I started thinking about getting one. It just kind of grew in my mind and then it was May. Then my personal life went to hell and I forgot again.
About a week ago everything became crystal clear...well almost everything.
Until tonight I have been torn. I have been known to be more conservative than my mother when it comes to Judaism. I like some of the more traditional prayer melodies and more Hebrew included in the service, but I also believe the Torah is like a Fairytale book with a few useful moral themes woven throughout. I don't take it literally and I don't follow rules strictly. What I love most about being a Jew is being able to question everything, even God. I also love the fact that we don't go out and try to convert or "save" people.
As my mother says, Judaism is a culture as well as a religion.
It's about community.
It's about helping those in need.
It's about peace.
It's about appreciating what you have.
This is my Judaism.

But still, it's a widely held belief that Jews should not be "marked."

"You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28)

Back in the day it was common for non Jews to cut, burn etc. themselves as part of the mourning process as well as inscribe their gods images into their skin. I'm sure I don't need to point out the whole only one God thing in Judaism.
So how I have decided to interpret this is that cutting or other hurtful self inflicted marks are bad whether out of mourning or any other reason. It's just not healthy. Then the second part means that markings that represent other deities isn't okay, and it just doesn't make sense if you're Jewish anyway.
So my tattoos are fine.
Tomorrow I'm getting Chai, which means life in Hebrew above my ankle. I think later in time I will have the star of David added around it, but without the circle surrounding it.
I'm all about life. I've been close to death more than once. Most recently while watching my grandmother decline and then seeing her take her last breaths. That's the hardest thing I've ever had to witness, but it makes me appreciate life even more.
I want it on my body, to remind me of how important it is to live every day the best I can, so I have no regrets when I'm taking my own last breaths. Judaism is a celebration of life and hebrew is incredibly beautiful, so what better form to put it in?
My second tattoo is going to be a starfish. Obviously I don't worship starfish. It started as a nickname, but it came to mean more to me. Starfish are known for their ability to regenerate their arms. To me that represents resilience. Resilience is a necessary skill to survive and have a full life. (Just ask my dad. He wrote a book on it.) There's no such thing as an easy life.
So these are the tattoos that I could never regret, and I believe they are not in conflict with my religion...and I really don't care if you think they are.

L'Chaim!
To Life!