It started out okay but then it slowly began to decline. I'm not able to elaborate without spoiling the story for those who may want to read it. I wanted to hear more about the relationships between the characters introduced in the beginning of the story prior to the change of location, because there was the real potential for drama and romance and the road of self discovery. Instead, those relationships were developed shallow and incomplete leaving me unfulfilled.

This was a quick read but very moving – at least it was for me. Catherine, referred to as Cappy by those closest to her, experienced a horrific accident at the age of 12. While at a family/friends gathering, she was asked to keep an eye on a small child while the mother carried in food but she took her eyes off for only a split second (or so it seemed). The young boy fell in the river and drowned and Cappy’s world and her hope for future happiness seemed to have floated down the river along with Sam’s lifeless body.

Cappy’s family moved just days after the accident but the ordeal had a daunting effect on all. Fifteen years later finds Cappy’s mother deceased. Another three years later her father dies suddenly and Cappy is made aware of his final wish –for her to spread his ashes in the river that holds her turmoil and fear.

There is a section in the story that tells of when a few days after the accident Cappy finds herself back at the water’s edge. There are hundreds of sand dollars and starfish blending into the sand, just under the surface. They looked like stranded sea life – carried to shore by a high tide and left to bleach and die on the drying sands. She frantically tries to save them by digging them out of the sand and carrying them to the deeper water in hopes of survival. She then learns that they aren’t dying but are merely caught between two tides. They would be fine once the tide comes in and carries them back out to sea and they are, once more, set free to be on their journey.

Life is much like the image of those sand dollars and starfish. We are hit sometimes with high tides that makes us think we are adrift in a sea of tranquility but when the waters recede we find ourselves buried in the muck and mud, blanketed in the heat of despair and loss. The key to life is accepting the act of getting buried in the sand - just don’t hold on too tightly to a location that offers no refuge or hope of life. Accept the low tide for what it is, a chance to catch your breath, grow and regroup. Enjoy the moment between the tides – even if it is painful – and be prepared to be washed out to deeper waters that bring with it new horizons and renewed hope.