His last Thanksgiving was spent at my sisters home in Virginia. Of course we did not know it was to be that, but as things would turn out, it was.

The day after the feast, we set into motion those things families do to make memories and to have fun together. Several people were in the kitchen preparing sugar cookie dough. I love the aroma that wafts through the house when baking sweets. I am filled with anticipation of the incredible taste that is to ultimately come my way.

BJ and Joshua played with light sabers, once again conquering the evil rebellion. It was funny though, how when they played, once the enemy was defeated, they had to go at each other. Surely, a man's vivid imagination gets its start at this young age, where pretending is at its prime.

Recovering from deadly blows from a light saber in 2.3 seconds was the norm. Then they would leap back to their feet and battle on. How did they have that much energy? I got tired smelling the cookie dough as it was stirred and posted into the refrigerator for the obligatory 2 hour chill!

Finally, the time would pass, and we were ready to begin the process of baking what seemed to have taken eons longer than 2.3 seconds to prepare.

The yummy dough would come out of the fridge, and be rolled out onto the table. Suddenly a host of heavenly wee ones surrounded the table filled with excitement over the chance to cut dough into Christmas shapes! Once prepared, off to the oven they would venture.

Then, that smell!!! Oh how incredible it is to have your memories laced not only with the alluring aroma, but also the endearing visions of our children's antics. They danced around the house in great expectation of what was about to come out of the oven!

Golden brown formed dough in shapes of the upcoming season, cooled on the table. Those dancers returned with more enthusiasm. It was time to decorate the cookies.

This thought had been the motivation of the day! Not a single child could resist the temptation of sneaking bites of frosting along the way (especially this big one). All of us stood around the table decorating Christmas cookies. Brad's were the best. He must have gotten most of my Dad's "art" genes. His cookies made the rest of ours look like a bunch of hungry rookies had done them. I guess he just has more self control than the rest of us.

Anyway, while his were the best, a close second in my mind were BJ's. He took such time and care with his. Anyone who has spent time with him at meals knows of his pleasure in the slow enjoyment of food...something he got from my Mom's genes. His cookies were intricately adorned with color and detail. He could take a vision in his head, and re-create it on a silly cookie.

I can still see him licking his fingers as he went. This was good stuff. These were precious times and bring refreshment yet, a bit of melancholy.

There was no way we could know this would be our last Thanksgiving together. I don't believe I could have cherished it any more had I known.

This Christmas, as you gather as family, plan to make memories together. Do silly things like baking, and playing games. Fully enjoy the moments as they come. Resist the temptation to get short with one another. These memories will last you for a lifetime.

dad