Tides...

We know right where this is and have walked along here any number of times.  We particularly like it now that the sun is low at 4pm, the water generally still and the sand giving us a hint as to the last of the tides.

The small amount of debris that washes up at this time of year should cause us to think about the season we are in (Advent for Christians - Hanukkah for Jews and the many others - if we try and name them all we will leave out one and that's not good).

At the start of winter, with short days and very very long cold nights, we get all "worked up" about the distant spring - nearly three full months away, as we know there is a bleak mid-winter ahead, snow and ice, and all kinds of physical misery. 

It would be something of a mistake to think this way and it is no coincidence that "northern hemisphere" religions grew up with a central aspect being this season of birth - a premature spring if you will.  For Christians, the winter of hope is over in a couple days. Hanukkah and the re dedication of the Temple. All rebirth.

Tides bring in what is adrift and they leave a nice mark so we  know where they are, have been and might be in the future.  We know that come spring the debris gets a lot thicker with all the stuff come to life.  This, however,  now - right now - is our tide.  Mark it well.