The Cruzan Hook Bracelet

I find it a great delight to own and wear a St. Croix hook bracelet from Sonya's. I love it when people recognize it. I have spotted a few on others in the states, one from across a restaurant. My sister, wearing hers in Saipan, found a few people there with them. People travel all over the world and have an instant connection with one another when they see these bracelets. They definitely start conversations and produce smiles and shared good memories.

I did not buy my own when I lived there back in 88/89. I expected someone to buy me one, when I had earned it, like an initiation gift. I really wanted one. I wanted to fit in and feel like a belonger who truly belonged. For me to buy my own, however, felt somewhat presumptuous, as if I were to invite myself to a party or similar. None of this is true, of course. Anyone who walks into Sonya’s store on the corner of Company Street in Christiansted can buy one. Anyone in the world can buy one online at http://www.sonyaltd.com/. While I was there, dating sailor Sam I wore his hook bracelet. I gave it back, however, when I broke his heart and went in search of other island adventures. Sam never bought me a bracelet and I never told him that I hoped he would but I did since he was the most likely person in my life to do so at that time.

Months passed and Hurricane Hugo came and left me with Posttraumatic confusion and indecisiveness. I left the island, not returning to get my bracelet for ten years, buying it myself (and one for my daughter, who accompanied me there). I also bought one of the Hugo bracelets, because I had definitely EARNED that one for myself!

During our departure from the island, my daughter and I were asked to unhook our bracelets as we passed through the security scanners. Doing this surprised me and delighted me. The scanner would beep if the bracelet was hooked but not after we had unhooked it. We were allowed to depart, only after temporarily breaking our silver symbolic relationship with the island. The bracelet represents my love of the island. Unhooking it represented leaving, disconnecting, but re-hooking it again symbolized my bond with the island and wearing it everyday keeps that bond sealed, reminding me of some of the best times of my life. I cherish my bracelet and what it represents. I still feel that they should be earned and are much more than simple jewelry.