We have adopted the Octopus as the mascot for Alex’s Ride because, for me, it represents the depression he and I both struggle with. Alex’s second tattoo was an octopus engulfing a hand. The tattoo was done by Micah Gunderson who was working at a shop in Marquette at the same time Alex was at NMU.
A few months before he died, I asked him if the hand was his. He answered that it was, and that the octopus represented his depression and “life.”
After Alex died, I began thinking a lot about my own challenges with depression and came to realize that the octopus was a really good analogy for depression. It can wrap you up and smother you. You pull one tentacle off and another one grabs from a different recess of your mind. Ultimately, in my case I need to ask for help to unwind myself when I get sucked in. I have to accept that my “octopus” will be with me forever. I have to understand that it’s okay to not be okay; and not be afraid to ask for the help I need to live side by side with the octopus of depression.
We ride with the Octopus!
The summer after he passed away, we all decided that we would get a tattoo to remember him, and we also wanted Micah to do them. We were able to track Micah down through Alex’s very dear friend and college roommate Alex Nye. Micah had moved to Green Bay and started his own studio Northern Tide Tattoo. We each thought about what we would want to get. When we started talking to Micah about the tattoos, I asked him about Alex’s octopus. It turned out that he still had his original drawing of the tattoo. I was able to get the exact drawing used for mine with the addition of a St Jude medal that Alex wore with his initials added in.
Abbey ended up getting “Love Always, Alex” – the closing of a letter Alex had written her.
Clancey got a line version of Alex’s first tattoo, a rainbow trout, and a copy of his signature from a note he’d written to her.
Kathy found a tribal pattern of a Lotus blossom that she liked and had AMH 93 – 17 added to it. The symbolism of the lotus is that something beautiful grows from the mud, and that resonated with her.
Jeremy- I applaud your courage in sharing so much of yourself, and your commitment to helping others. We must continue to talk about depression and normalize that it is okay not to be okay. Your tribute is amazing, and while we are not a family of bike riders we are a family affected by depression. I look forward to participating in this mission. Hugs to you and Kathy…I would love the opportunity to meet your family when you are in the area sometime! Hugs.
Thanks Christine. Love to catch up!
Mom and I will be with you in Spirit on this wonderful ride!
Hope you raise a lot of awareness and some money too.