Well, it was on March 13th, to be exact. It was the feast day of St. Grace.
I did it somewhat spontaneously, and yet--at the same time--I had been thinking about it for a year.
I enjoyed the piercing for 5 wonderful years, but it was time to let it go.
Nobody asked me to get rid of it. I decided it was no longer worth it when I noticed that it greatly inhibited my ability to enjoy having my face near Michael's. I was always terrified that something would catch on it or that his nose would bump it.
It also greatly inhibited my ability to enjoy a warm washcloth. One of the greatest joys I experience in my daily routine is a warm wet washcloth held over my face for a few moments while I take in a deep breath.
It actually brings back the memory of the first time I ever did this, which was in my Grandmother's bathroom, back when she and Grandpop lived in Philadelphia. With one deep breath into a warm wet washcloth, full relaxation could come over my body. I'm sure I was 2 or 3 years old when I discovered this! The faint, clean smell of detergent was an absolute delight.
Yet, this was a joy that had been completely erased from my life, again for fear of the piercing catching on something. Instead, I would quickly wash my face (and go carefully around the piercing) never allowing myself to fully relax, lest I forget about the piercing and thus catch it on the tiny threads of the washcloth or something.
So now, dear reader, my nose is boring again, free from adornment yet also free to truly BE.
