1979 Holiday Greetings 1980

My very dear ones:

I greet you this holiday season from my new home in Northern California, where I moved on May 15. I have been busy most of the year planning for the move and getting settled in my new location. However, I can now say that the major part of the decorating and landscaping is completed, and hope after the first of the year to be able to participate more fully in the activities and sightseeing events of Oakmont.

This is Thanksgiving Day and as I begin to share my thoughts with you in my year-end letter, I feel a great sense of gratitude for my many blessings. The love and devotion of my precious family and friends are my greatest treasures. They mean so much to my well-being. Also the memories I hold so dear of my loved ones no longer with us give me joy and inspiration as I pass my hours busily each day.

I'd like to tell you a little about the place where I now live. Oakmont is an active adult community situated in the Valley of the Moon, just fifty-seven miles north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. It is a gentle, rolling oak-dotted land surrounded by the history that left its landmarks throughout Sonoma County. In 1874, Luther Burbank, of whom Santa Rosa is justly proud, called the Valley of the Moon, "The chosen spot of all the world." Today it remains one of California's scenic delights. The air is clean and pure, something I greatly appreciate coming from Los Angeles, where I lived for so many years. Jack London, the noted American author, who also lived in Sonoma County, wrote of this area: "Here is a climate that breeds vigor - no where is there a climate with that of this region." The summers are warm like those of Southern California, but the winters are much colder, and this I must confess I am feeling. When I awaken some mornings, I can see a blanket of frost everywhere, a sight I have not seen since my childhood.

The back of my home faces one of Oakmont's two golf courses, so green and refreshing to look at daily. Beyond in the near distance, is majestic Hood Mountain towering above all the others in the regional park that bears its name. When I look from the front of my home, and above the rooftops of those across the street, I can see the great redwoods of Annadel State Park. Oakmont nestles quietly between the two, which helps to make this community so beautifully scenic.

David, Beth and their two little ones visited me in July and I have been south twice to visit them. The Thinds moved from Queens Road at the end of September and now live in Malibu, a few blocks from where their permanent home is being built. From what I have seen so far, it will be a lovely home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. How blessed they are to have found such an ideal spot to live.

Little Jennifer Elisabeth was born on January 25. She is a beautiful baby, blonde and fair with a very winsome smile. Justin adores his baby sister and because he is four year old, he feels he is old enough to help his mother care for her - at times, a little too affectionately! They will be coming to my new home to help me spend my first Christmas here. Rosalind too will be returning for the holidays.

I was very fortunate to have her with me for Thanksgiving, after attending the twenty-fifth anniversary of her graduating class at Stanford University. My grandchildren, John and Laurie, keep in touch with me often. Laurie is living in Dallas and John, in Kauai. Both are busy in their chosen fields.

My dear friends, the Chiesas, who live here in Oakmont, helped me through the first pangs of separation and adjustment from David and his family who had lived for many years next door to me on Queens Road, as well as my dear friends in the Los Angeles area, all of whom I miss very much. The help that they have given me in ways too numerous to mention, is something for which I shall always be grateful. Such friends are priceless. David's almost daily phone calls, helped greatly also in the beginning months.

The year's end is fast approaching and another decade is soon coming to a close. Our country is going through a very trying period at this time. I know all who are deeply concerned are praying for the outcome to be righteous. May understanding prevail among the leaders of the countries involved, and may peace soon be in the offing.

I hope with the help of Doctor's disciples to be able to proceed after the first of the year with the promotion of his noble work. For the past few years, I have been unable to give as much time to this as I would have liked, for reasons you can well understand.

My family and I join in wishing you a very happy and joyous Christmas with your loved ones, and a New Year filled with healthy, contented, meaningful days. May God, our All-Knowing Loving Father, bless us all.

As ever,

Most Lovingly,
Vivian



Vivian Thind
7383 Oakmont Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
(707) 539-1814