jason Clawson

Father/ Friend/Therapist/Healer

In 2018, my life was flipped upside down after my wife (Valerie) was diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer. I was terrified for myself and my small family of four. This was devastating news that completely rocked our world. The Doctor in the hospital looked at me and said “Jason, Cancer has a way of enhancing your life”. At this point in my life, I did not want this. I wanted the life I had before to go back to normal.

After Valerie’s Initial diagnosis, we were given 2-3 hours for Valerie’s life expectancy. Fast Forward 9 months later, and we found ourselves saying goodbye at her funeral. No one or thing can fully prepare you for life’s challenges, trials, and pain.

After the funeral was complete and over, I remember my support from my family and friends quickly disappeared. I quickly found myself all alone trying to pick up the pieces of life. It was a hard and lonely time for me. “What happened to all the people that were here for me”. “Does anyone care anymore”? “Where is my Team”? “How will I get through this?”

I remember saying to myself “Will I Become Happier again”. Will I find love again”. “Will I feel Joy again”.

Life began to get more and more difficult as life continued after the passing of my wife. I found myself more and more depressed, isolating, lonely, anxious, and even struggling to sleep. Life quickly became overwhelming, and I was fearful of the future because I felt like I was going to do this all alone and this was a terrifying thought.

As a clinical therapist, no one taught me about these moments that I was currently experiencing. No one prepared me on how to deal with or cope with my emotions and what I was currently dealing with. I knew I could help others going through challenging times in their life, but I could not help myself at this time.

At a low point in my journey, I could not do this alone, and finally, I reached out by sending a text for help. I remember feeling so incredibly overwhelmed, and not wanting to feel like this any longer. I sent this “HAIL MARY” text to 14 of my friends, family, and neighbors asking them to come to my house so that I could tell them how I was feeling.

Later that day, all those people I texted showed up at my house in what I call my “HEALING TEAM”. At this point, I begin to find hope and happiness again.

That summer me and my boys decided to have a lemonade stand and raise money to create “SUNSHINE BASKETS” for people that had lost a spouse, dealing with cancer, or individuals that were struggling. We wanted to raise $100 but after the lemonade stand was over we had raised $1500. This was a shock and overwhelming. We decided to make 25 baskets and begin delivering them to people who needed help and support.

As we continued to create and deliver these sunshine baskets, a lady from Virginia asked if she could get one because she was struggling. From there we created a sunshine box and began delivering it to this lady and several people across the United States. Currently, we have delivered to 45 states and are soon to be 50.

I and my Business partner (Wyatt Ernst) have created Giving Sunshine, and as of January 2022, I have stepped away from being a therapist to going full time at Giving Sunshine. We are now working hard to provide more help and healing to those that have lost loved ones, are struggling with Cancer, and have mental health issues.

Our Boxes provide therapeutic tools that help others heal and become happier during challenging times of their life.

Today, I have found joy and happiness again. I recently got married again to my sweetheart named Kirsten. It has been a joy and blessing to have her in my life, and continues to enhance our lives today.

I now get the chance and opportunity to help change lives by offering Sunshine Boxes to those in need after the loss of a loved one, cancer diagnosis, or others with mental health issues. “I love what I do and love to truly help others heal.

"HEALING TAKES COURAGE"

thanks,

Jason Clawson