"I've Got Sunshine..."

Hey! Let me introduce myself. I'm Claire Faith Jones, or Claire Bear, or CB, or Claire Baby... the list could go on. I am currently in my freshman year at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor studying public relations with a minor in business. My boyfriend, Tommy, and I just got the sweetest pup named Willie (yes, for Nelson). I really am living my best life!!... on the outside. That's why I am starting this blog.

This is me chillin' on my bed in my room when I was four. Really random picture, right? It kind of goes with my story though. When my parents built the house that I have spent most of my life in, I BEGGED for yellow walls in my room. Y'all, I cried when they said to think of another option. When my parents asked me why I was so adamant on yellow, I replied, "it's the color of sunshine and happiness!" Needless to say, I won and my walls were pastel yellow for years. They then turned to lime green in 3rd/4th grade, because why not go brighter?! The walls fit me. I was spunky, always doing cartwheels and wearing Chucks. I was happy. I was goofy. I would sing everywhere I went (sorry mom and dad). Then life hit. And it hit hard.

In 2010 my grandfather was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS. In 2011 I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. In 2013 I experienced my first loss of a friend due to diabetes related complications. That count is now up to four. I had mean girls spill soda on my head, and start a club over their hatred for me. My life turned gray, and so did my walls. In junior high my parents and I painted my bedroom a deep gray color- the color it remains to this day.

With the gray came a diagnosis of clinical depression and anxiety. Meds, therapy, and a few spills that I thought I would never clean up. To be honest, I am in the middle of one of my worst low points to date. But, I am determined to find the color inside of my gray walls. I've got sunshine on a cloudy day, right Temptations??

I am big on saying our labels don't limit. I mean that. We are all given a deck of cards to play with, it's what we do with that deck that matters. Right now my walls are gray, but I know there is still color inside the room. I turn to my favorite bible verse, Romans 12:9, and am reminded to cling to the good. So friends, here goes my journey of finding all the bright, beautiful colors inside my seemly dim, dark, gray walls. Here's to finding my sunshine and happiness again.

Help keep me accountable. Follow along for some giggles, some tears, and a whole lot of messy. I love you all.

Keep on keeping on,

Claire