I first met Rebecca about Six or Seven years ago at her family’s home, in Den Haag.
At that time, she was just enlisted in the Israeli military or about to , I cannot remember exactly . Our interaction was brief, but I could already sense the strong and determined spirit within her.

In 2022, Rebecca reached out to me, expressing her admiration for my tattoo work.  I was deeply moved by her request. Though we couldn’t immediately arrange a session, my schedule was very busy , but I connected her with an Israeli Artist who was visiting my shop for short period of time,. A year later, when she had more time, we booked a date for the tattoo session, and we did an online consultation.

Rebecca requested a tattoo of the goddess Persephone, the Queen of the underworld from Greek mythology. She requested a design that is not typical or feminine but rather something raw, artistic, and abstract, reflecting her inner strength and resilience.

Persephone’s Myth, as Rebecca explained, she felt a strong connection to it and see herself in it .
Persephone left her family to a complete foreign realm that she was not familiar with anything there, but with time she got used to it and she eventually found her place and purpose and became the queen of the underworld, were she ruled the souls. She was also the goddess of spring, that provides change and growth.

Rebecca left her home and ventured into the unknown , but she have a goal to change the system there, with embracing challenges and making a new life for herself. This connection to Persephone spoke volumes about Rebecca’s courage and her ability to find strength and identity in unfamiliar circumstances.

During our sessions, Rebecca’s quiet determination and full of life. I noticed that she her hands were little ruff , she had marks and little cuts here and there, signs of a fighter hand, she was very mature for her age.

When we met she was full of life and energy, she expressed that she felt drained in the military a bit mentally tired , but with excitement, we started the session, she staid still like a rock , she was smiling all the time , She got a bit tired toward the end of the session despite that she was full of happiness with her new tattoo.
Her message to me a few days later, expressing her happiness and eagerness for more, is a memory that I will always remember. And I am grateful that she choose me to do the tattoo. She told me this tattoo meant a lot to her as well.

Tragically, a year later, I received the heartbreaking news of Rebecca’s passing due to an infection.
I refused to believe it, It felt like a nightmare, an unbearable loss of a vibrant young soul who had so much more to give.

Goodbye, Rebecca. May you find peace and fulfillment in the afterlife.
You may left us in the physical but I am sure that you are watching over the ones you love.
Your spirit, strength, and memory will forever be in our hearts and minds.

With deepest sympathy and sorrow I say Goodbye to the  Queen.

Hossam abu

Houssam Abu

Amsterdam