Susan Yerkes
San Antonio Express-News

Sonny Melendrez (6 yrs. old) with Santa at Joskes Of Texas

I'll be home for Christmas;

You can count on me.

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree.

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love-light gleams.

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams.

— Kim Gannon and Walter Kent

What Christmas memories come back to you each year?

Whatever the moments that spring to mind, they're likely to involve home and family.

The holiday that began as a simple Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus has become the big kahuna of annual rituals, with everything from Santa Claus to big-box seasonal shopping in the heady mix.

Christmas is also a time to gather together, renew and strengthen ties with friends and family, and conjure up shared memories. It's a holiday that brings out past and present, and one that's often recorded and recalled in family photographs.

This year, we asked some well-known San Antonians to share their Christmas pictures, past or present, with our readers.

Sonny Melendrez, longtime media personality and current host on KAHL-AM, came up with the oldest photo — one that's sure to evoke fond memories in San Antonians old enough to remember when that downtown store was Joske's of Texas, not Dillard's Rivercenter.

In those days, families came from far and wide to marvel at Joske's magical Christmas window displays and the giant Santa who sat on the rooftop each year. And of course, the kids had their photos taken with Joske's Santa Claus.

Others, including Henry and Mary Alice Cisneros and state Sen. Jeff Wentworth and his wife, Karla, use annual family photos as personalized Christmas cards. To some, pictures are reminders of special celebrations, such as City Councilman Richard Perez and wife Judy's 1998 family photo, taken at a White House Christmas celebration.

County Judge Nelson Wolff and wife Tracy's seasonal fun is focused on grandchildren. County Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia Romo gave us a peek into her office's Christmas festivities.

And San Antonio's undisputed queen of household hints, Heloise, chose a charming Christmas snapshot that shows off her schnauzer Savvi masquerading as a reindeer.

These San Antonians' holiday pictures have one thing in common: They're sent with best wishes for a joyous Christmas season.

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