God’s Paintbrush

By Amber Bass
No matter your location in the world, if you are a native West Virginian, your heart is longing for home come autumn. Bits and pieces of strewn color here and there polka dot other states. These are just small reminders of glory that awaits at home.
Clay County is wrapped deep in the arms of Appalachia. Our valleys forged by the beautiful Elk River twist and turn into winding coves. The landscape shelters us and holds us close. Only in the absence of God’s paint brush do we appreciate the glory that is West Virginia. Prior to numerous trips from the south, many peak color maps are referenced for perfectly timed visits. As the trip ascended north, the bread crumbs of color lead us along our way. As those who frequent the beach long for the most faint salty smell of the ocean and the flattening of the land; West Virginians seek the snap of the chill in our noses, the crunch of the leaves beneath our feet and the pop in our ears from the elevation. The next time you step onto your porch, take a moment to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. Every day is a gift and autumn is the present.