As a toddler, Carson loses his parents to the waters of the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon coast. This turn of events brings him to live with his father's parents in one of the many coastal logging and fishing communities that dot the rugged shoreline. While building furniture with his craftsman grandfather, he learns about a mystical blend of ingredients that create special rocking chairs. "The amounts of water and sand need to be just right or the coalescence between water, sand and cedar won't work," his grandfather implores him. As Carson comes of age, he learns about love, loss, deception and redemption and that miracles can and really do happen. Life with his grandparents prepares him to deal with family dynamics and human failings and in particular learn that the universe is no respecter of persons.