A Thoughtful Note for California – God’s Country
A New Yorker’s Love Letter to the Golden State.
California is a place of unparalleled beauty, diversity, and natural wonder - a landscape that has the power to leave an indelible impression on your heart and soul. My own experience with this incredible state was nothing short of breathtaking.
As a New Yorker, I never thought the day would come when I would live in California. New York has always been my heart, my identity, my anchor. Yet, when the opportunity arose, I embraced it wholeheartedly, and the time I spent there turned out to be one of the most impressionable years of my life.
Every day in California felt like stepping into a dream. Moments like those mornings on the terrace, simple yet profound, are etched into my memory as some of the most beautiful I’ve ever experienced.
Each morning, as I stepped onto the terrace with my coffee in hand, I was greeted by the gentle yet forceful buzz of hummingbirds suspended mid-flight. The sunlight painted the world in a golden hue, and the sky was a shade of blue so vivid it seemed almost otherworldly. It was in these moments that I truly understood why California is called “God’s Country.”
Driving the expanse of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) was equally unforgettable. The wind on my skin, the salt in the air, and the endless ocean stretching to the horizon made the journey feel transcendent. I still remember the awe of driving to Big Sur for the first time and continuing on to Carmel-By-The-Sea. The beauty was so stunning, so surreal, that I found it hard to believe such places were even part of the mainland United States. It was as if I had stepped into a divine masterpiece.
America is such a gorgeous country, and it is the land itself that makes it so deeply impressive. From coast to coast, the diversity of its landscapes is a testament to its magnificence. And while I will always be a New Yorker through and through, I cannot deny the extraordinary impact California has had on my heart.
That’s why it breaks my heart to see what is happening in California today. The very beauty that inspired me and stood as a testament to God’s glory is now under siege. Fires have ravaged this stunning landscape, turning lush green hills to ash and clear skies to smoke. Entire communities are being consumed by flames, lives uprooted, and the land that once inspired so much awe now shrouded in devastation.
This tragedy feels deeply personal - not just for those who call California home, but for everyone who has ever been touched by its splendor. Witnessing the destruction is like watching a beloved masterpiece being torn apart.
Yet, even in the face of such devastation, I hold on to hope. California has always been a place of resilience and renewal. Just as its fields bloom again after winter rains, I believe this state will rise from the ashes. Communities will rebuild, nature will heal, and the same awe-inspiring beauty will return to remind us why this land is so cherished.
To California, I send my love and prayers. You are not just a part of this world - you are a reflection of its wonder, its strength, and its spirit. May your skies clear, your lands recover, and your people find peace and solace in the days ahead.
And to all of us, may this serve as a reminder to cherish and protect the natural beauty that surrounds us, no matter where we are. God’s Country is all around us if we only take the time to see it.
(*Way to help - California Fire Foundation)
In Love,
Layla-Joy