Low Tide

I once told a friend, as he was enjoying our backyard view for the very first time, in a most apologetic way, that it was low tide and there wasn't a bit of water in the creek, just miles of mud. Sorry, I said, it's not very pretty this way like when the tide is high. His reply has stuck with me now for almost 3 years. "Maybe so, but I bet low tide is much more interesting."
Yes, yes it is.
At low tide there is no water. But you get to see what's underneath, all the way to the ugly bottom. Sometimes that is good.
Life works that way too, I suppose. Right now I feel like I'm at a low tide, but here are some observations.
Now that things are a low, I can see all the way to the ugly bottom. It's ugly, but it's not gonna kill me, so I need to face it and work past it.
It is interesting. Interesting to see where my support comes from when I'm standing in front of the crowd and each one holds a stone. Some support is expected, like family and some comes from surprising places, people that I didn't even expect to notice my duress. Just like low tide in the creek revealing things I can't see when it's full of water, I have the opportunity to see right down to the bottom of some people and know just where they stand.
And just like that; one day the tide will rise again, the water all flows back in, and it's all pretty and scenic once more. I hope I am better for having gone through this. I hope I can enjoy the view again, without worrying over the next low tide. One will surely come, but it won't catch me by surprise.
Very interesting indeed.