Editor's Note   Grateful for the beauty   By Darcy L. Fargo

October 8, 2025

My roommate and I rushed into British Literature class several minutes late.

“Sorry, Professor Masterson,” I said, out of breath. “We rode back together from fall break, and we were delayed by a wreck on the Thruway.”

Our professor, who knew we were roommates at our college in a Western New York suburb, seemed surprised.
“You girls ride home together, too? Where is home?”

“Small towns about five hours north of here,” I said. “No one has ever heard of them.”

“Try me,” Professor Masterson responded.

“Bombay,” I said.

“Louisville,” my roommate added.

“Oh, up in the northern Adirondacks,” our professor responded. “That’s God’s Country!”

I think of Professor Masterson often as I drive around our beautiful North Country, especially during this most colorful time of year.

It really is God’s country.

Just leaving home this time of year is a beautiful and prayerful experience. I’m constantly experiencing wonder and awe at the spectacular colors shown in the leaves, at the majestic mountains that seem almost painted with red, yellow and orange, and at their reflections off the surrounding waterways.

Are my prayers the deepest prayers I’ll ever experience? No. It’s usually just a quick, “thank you, God, for this beauty.”

But I’m grateful for any moment that brings my heart and mind to God. I’m grateful for the contentment I experience when taking in the beauty of God’s creation all around us. I’m grateful for the boost I get from the beauty this time of year, and I pray it carries me through the winter that follows.

I’m grateful we live in God’s country.