December 21, 2022 Issue, Page 12 of 30

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PG2 HOMETOWN TIDINGS Christmas Memories Transcribed through Tablecloth Inscriptions ‘Twas the Night before Christmas By Sheryl Ponce Memories are created I was up, watching the landscape with those we love and as we traveled through New Mexico the experiences we have and onto Colorado. I remember that with them. As I look back the snow glistened against the moon- on my favorite Christmas memory, it lit night, looking blue across the fields. was one of many times we traveled to There were distant homes with Christ- Colorado to spend Christmas with my mas lights shining bright, and smoke grandparents. They lived just outside of coming out of the chimneys. It was like Colorado Springs on a place called Red a picture from one of the many Christ- Rock Ranch. It was the perfect place for mas stories that are told throughout a holiday. the holidays. By Sheryl Ponce I think I was in junior high, liv- As we entered Red Rock Ranch What began in 1983 with a simple tablecloth that grew into a family tradi- ing in Amarillo. My family included my and took the winding road up to my tion of inscriptions written by Dub and Margie Smith’s family each Christmas. parents Irl and Larry Cheatham and grandparents (Paul and Marceta Carv- ‘The story of the Christmas tradition was published in “Midwest Living Maga- one older sister, Randie, and a younger er), or as we called them Grandad and zine,” Dec. 1992, through a contest that daughter Sue Cornell who was living in Huxley, Iowa, won about special traditions. brother, Scott. We left town late in the Gigi, the night seemed magical. Again “Signing the Christmas-dinner tablecloth has becomea tradition all the day, and the three of us were bundled the light from the moon and the stars ‘Smith family members look forward to. After completion of our holiday meal, in the back seat, I think with were in shown bright as we went across the each family member gets a pencil to sign (his or her) name, date and write a a green Plymouth station wagon, with small creek. I could see the horses short inscription on the tablecloth. It’s fun to watch each child’s efforts change from year to year. We can trace presents and luggage in the back. There across a meadow, and the excitement each child’s growth by observing the yearly changes of each child’s creative ef- may have been a space left for the broth- grew that we were almost there. fort. The youngest inscription is the tracing of a newborn’s hand by the parent. er to lay down and nap amongst the pile We pulled into the gravel drive My mother then embroiders each person's remembrance in traditional Christmas colors. The tablecloth has become a treasured family heirloom of packages. and jumped out to greet out beloved that’s enjoyed and cherished by all family members,” Cornell wrote as Ellen The three of us never lasted long grandparents with open arms. The fire- Sue Smith Severson in the winning story. She was married to Dennis Severson sitting on the same seat. My sister and place warmed the room, and the Christ- at the time, but he passed away in 2016. She is now married to Pat Cornell, and I usually had the imaginary line drawn mas tree was overgrown with packages. they reside in Clinton where he is an attorney. ‘This year Smith and Cornell brought the tablecloth out, remembering the down the seat, while my brother jumped My great grandmother’s rocking chair tradition that ended in 1998. As they looked over the memories that each per- from the front seat to the back. This sat waiting for me next to the fireplace, son memorialized on the white linen, each inscription refreshed their Christ- Christmas, he was nestled behind us, which was my favorite to be. I did not mas memories of the past. Some of them were drawings made by wee hands, unable to write, while others were the adults who noted the ski trip to the while Randie had her pillow against the have time to rock in the chair or visit mountains. window taking a nap. before we were quickly sent to bed.