It IS Always Sunny

When I first moved to Illinois from Milwaukee, I worked at Sara's Aunt's jewelry store. I started working during the holiday season, where I would wrap presents for one of their client's Christmas parties. Sara would come down from MIAD, as she was still in college, and she would teach me how to better wrap gifts, as I wasn't very good at it.

This time of year was great to be living in the Chicago area. There were so many lights, and I haven't felt the Christmas spirit as much since I lived at my parents house in Beloit, Wisconsin.

At first, I was sleeping on Sara's Aunt's couch and the holiday lights from the street and the surrounding houses would come in through the windows, further reminding me on the Christmas season. The memory of working there are great, and when I watch episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia it reminds me on these good times.

When an episode starts, I hear the music during the opening title sequence, and all I can think about is being in Chicago during this time. It was all before I had Epilepsy; maybe this is why I watch the episiodes over and over.

I worked in Milwaukee recently, where I was staying with friends during the work week, and while I was there I would pop in the DVD's to remind me of Chicago. After the job ended, I moved back to Chicago, and when I'm here during the holidays, all I can think about when I look at the lights is the first couple of months of living here.

There's something special about Chicago during the holidays. Maybe because it's such a populated area, or because I started living here in December. There are a lot of bad memories, but even those are special because it's what brought Sara and I closer together.

My Epilepsy is something that I have to really think about. While I wish my life was a little easier, as it would be without this illness, I can't help but think about how much my life has changed for the better.

I was a completely different person. I worked hard, and I felt like I had a good career ahead of me, but Epilepsy has brought me from a boy to a man. Sara and I would never have been so close, and I'd like to put a big period at the end of that statement. I'm at home taking care of two cats that I'd like to call "therapy animals" because without them I think my days alone would be far more strenuous. Some might say that it's practice for a child someday.

I love Chicago at this time of year. I get to think about all the things I'm thankful for, and in certain instances... yes, Epilepsy can be considered a part of my life where I will look back and really believe in my heart that I wouldn't be the same man without it.