ebb and flow...

without which we wouldn't have
seashells to collect
tidepools to explore
grunions laying eggs
moist sand for building castles

flow brings in the treasures
ebb leaves them behind
some i keep and cherish
some i toss back
some just stay forgotten in the sand

it's not a lesson in nature i've been learning, but one of relationships.
as i look back on the relationships i've had in my lifetime, i see a pattern of ebb and flow, much like the tides of the ocean. different seasons bring different tides and different tides bring different marks on the shore of life.

i've had seasons of green moss and life and what felt like high tide. fun and bonding and sweetness and knowing. i've also had seasons of dried kelp and hot sand and what felt like very low tide. brokenness and heartache and waiting and longing.

i've just begun to realize that without the low tides, i wouldn't discover the treasures that the high tides brought in. lessons on loving and giving and knowing and asking. collecting and cherishing memories. exploring that which was and still remains hidden in the pool of my heart. spawning life from the last high tide and letting it go with the next one. making and building anew, knowing full well the risks of what the tides will take as well as give.

and then there are things that are better left in the sand. dead things. dangerous things. dang ugly things. better to step around, over and away. let the next high tide wash it away. and if it doesn't take it away, pick it up and throw it away. bitter things. hurtful things. smelly, stinging, sour things. i'm starting to sound like dr. seuss...no wonder, it's nearing midnite.

at present, i think the monterey coast resonates with me.
with its rocky terrain resulting in turbulent waves with hidden alcoves of peace and quiet.
timely mists that change and even cloud the view of the ocean, but which also bring relief to the heated hillsides.
yes, monterey resonates with me.