Bruce Wagner
I received two surgical steel joycuff bracelets in 2018. My good friends purchased them and had them shipped to me as a way to lift my spirits and remind me I was not alone, after being hospitalized over 15 times within about a year and a half after suffering major complications recovery from surgery.Over the years, I can’t even say how much I came to find comfort in having these bracelets on. When I felt sad, defeated, alone, scared, anxious or nervous, I would stroke them and think of the sayings stamped inside of them and would feel a bit of relief.The bracelets were simple, yet I always received compliments on them. They were very strong and hard to scratch up! The inscription had the dark ink added to it and despite me never removing them (except when going into subsequent surgeries and some testing), the coloring mostly remained, although you could tell it was well loved.In December 2021, just before Christmas, my friends lost their father. I attended the services (out of state) and when we were alone I re-gifted the bracelets back to my friends telling them how much I came to rely on them for comfort and hope over the past couple of years, and how I would run my fingers over the words as I repeated them to myself during the darkest times.I told them there was no timeline attached, but once they felt they no longer needed them as often and were more healed they could return them to me OR pay them forward to someone else who needed them more. None of us had dry eyes as we exchanged hugs.My wrists feel naked without them, and I didn’t realize TRULY how much I came to rely on them for comfort until afterward when I’d go to touch them and they weren’t there, but I hope they’re bringing them as much comfort as they did me throughout my darkest times when I didn’t think I was going to pull through - quite literally!For Christmas of 2021, I decided to purchase a rose gold one for my niece who is a single Momma and has been struggling with her mental health lately. Of course I took the opportunity to purchase one with special words that had meaning between us. The rose gold one is even more beautiful! I highly recommend either of these bracelets to show someone just how much you care and how loved they are!!
