Ziemassvētku gaiss Rīgā bija dzirkstošs.

The Ziemassvētku air in Rīgā was sparkling.

Rīgas Ziemassvētku tirdziņš bija dzīvs ar gaismu un smaržu.

The Rīgas Ziemassvētku tirdziņš was alive with light and scent.

Ilze stāvēja pie karstvīna stenda, turot krūzi rokās, bet domās bija tālu prom.

Ilze stood by the mulled wine stand, holding a mug in her hands, but her thoughts were far away.

Viņa redzēja, kā cilvēki apkārt viņai smējās un apskaujas.

She saw how people around her laughed and hugged each other.

Viņa gribēja just tādu pašu siltumu savā sirdī.

She wanted to feel the same warmth in her heart.

Ilze bija izcila arhitekte, bet darbs viņu noslogoja.

Ilze was an outstanding architect, but work burdened her.

Viņa ilgojās pēc ģimenes, lai gan lielākoties jutās sveša savējiem.

She longed for family, although she mostly felt alienated from her own.

Viņas brālis Oskars un māsa Marta vienmēr bija tuvākas ģimenes lietās, bet Ilze bija kaut kur apkārt, savā pasaulē.

Her brother Oskars and sister Marta were always closer in family matters, but Ilze was somewhere else, in her own world.

Šovakar bija ģimenes sapulce.

Tonight was a family gathering.

Sveču gaisma un rotātas egles radīja maigu atmosfēru.

The candlelight and decorated trees created a gentle atmosphere.

Ilze satika Oskaru pie piparkūku stenda.

Ilze met Oskars by the gingerbread stand.

"Čau, Ilze," viņš teica ar smaidu.

"Hi, Ilze," he said with a smile.

"Kā iet?

"How's it going?"

" Viņa atbildēja ar īsu smaidu.

She replied with a brief smile.

"Labi.

"Good.

Esmu bijusi aizņemta.

I've been busy."

"Ilze juta, ka Oskars gribēja ko vairāk uzzināt.

Ilze felt that Oskars wanted to know more.

Viņa saprata, ka šī bija viņas iespēja.

She realized this was her chance.

"Man dažreiz liekas, ka esmu prom no jūs visiem," Ilze negaidot izteica.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm away from all of you," Ilze unexpectedly said.

Oskars apstājās un paskatījās uz viņu nopietni.

Oskars paused and looked at her seriously.

"Tas nav taisnība," teica Oskars.

"That's not true," said Oskars.

"Mēs visi tevi mīlam, Ilze.

"We all love you, Ilze."

"Ilze juta asaras acīs.

Ilze felt tears in her eyes.

"Es vienmēr baidos, ka jūs mani nesapratīsiet," viņa teica.

"I'm always afraid that you won't understand me," she said.

"Darbā man iet labi, bet ģimenē.

"Work is going well, but in the family...

es neesmu tik pārliecināta.

I'm not so sure."

"Tā viņi tur stāvēja, runājot par visu un neko, kamēr apkārt ļaudis baudīja Ziemassvētku brīnumu.

They stood there, talking about everything and nothing, while around them people enjoyed the Ziemassvētku miracle.

Gaismas virs galvām mirdzēja kā zvaigznes, un Ilze juta, kā no viņas pleciem nokrīt neredzams svars.

The lights above their heads sparkled like stars, and Ilze felt an invisible weight lift from her shoulders.

Vēlāk, kad viss noslēdzās un cilvēki sāka doties mājup, Ilze atrada sevi starp Martu un Oskaru.

Later, when everything wrapped up and people began heading home, Ilze found herself among Marta and Oskars.

Jaundzimušā saprašanās un pieņemšanas sajūta pavasarojās viņu starpā.

A newfound sense of understanding and acceptance blossomed between them.

Viņa saprata, ka nav jāsaliec savas mājas, lai piederētu.

She realized she didn't have to rearrange her home to belong.

"Šis bija labi," Oskars sacīja, viegli uzsitiot ar plecu pret viņu.

"This was good," Oskars said, gently bumping his shoulder against hers.

Ilze smaidīja, jūtoties pirmo reizi daudzu gadu laikā, it kā Ziemassvētki būtu patiešām piepildīti.

Ilze smiled, feeling, for the first time in many years, as if Ziemassvētki were truly fulfilled.

Tā bija atkalredzēšanās ne tikai ar ģimeni, bet arī atgriešanās pie sevis.

It was a reunion not only with her family but also a return to herself.

Ilze atguva laimi, ne vairāk cenšoties būt perfekta.

Ilze regained happiness, no longer striving to be perfect.

Jo viņa zināja, ka atradusi savu vietu ģimenē kā tāda, kāda viņa bija.

For she knew she had found her place in the family as she was.

Ar sniegpārslām lēni krītot apkārt, viņa pieņēma, ka viss būs labi.

With snowflakes slowly falling around, she accepted that everything would be alright.

Jo šis bija ģimenes laiks, un beidzot tas arī viņai nozīmēja mājas.

Because this was family time, and finally, it also meant home to her.