Ziemassvētku gaisma Jurmala piekrastē spīdēja kā nekad agrāk.

The Ziemassvētku lights on the Jurmala shore shone like never before.

Vējš bija auksts, āda tirpst, bet Gints to gandrīz nejuta.

The wind was cold, making the skin tingle, but Gints hardly felt it.

Viņš bija nostājies pludmalē, plecos megasomā nopīkstēja darba telefons, bet prāts bija piekasījies citur.

He was standing on the beach, his work phone beeped in the backpack on his shoulders, but his mind was elsewhere.

Liene piesteidzās pie viņa.

Liene hurried to him.

"Nāc, Gint, sapulcējamies," viņa aicināja, roku slidinot zem brāļa elkonim, it kā aicinot viņu no darba sloga.

"Come on, Gint, let's gather," she invited, sliding her hand under her brother's elbow, as if inviting him away from the burdens of work.

Gints uz mirkli kavējās, bet tad devās viņai līdzi.

Gints hesitated for a moment, then followed her.

"Man jāsagatavo vēl viens pārskats," murmināja viņš, bet Liene tikai pasmaidīja.

"I need to prepare one more report," he murmured, but Liene just smiled.

"Šodien mēs esam ģimene.

"Today we are family."

"Pludmale bija klāta vieglu sniega kārtu.

The beach was covered with a light layer of snow.

Apkārt kā tūkstošiem zvaigznīšu spīdēja sveces un laternas.

Around, like thousands of stars, candles and lanterns glowed.

Marta, Ginta meita, šķita aizdomīga un atturīga.

Marta, Gints' daughter, seemed suspicious and reserved.

Viņa stāvēja nedaudz nostatus, rokas aiz kabatām, vērojot viļņus.

She stood a little apart, hands in her pockets, watching the waves.

Jaunais gads nebija vēl nācis, bet viņa jau centās atstāt veco aiz muguras.

The New Year hadn't come yet, but she was already trying to leave the old one behind.

"Martiņ, nāc šurp!

"Martiņ, come here!"

" Liene aicināja.

Liene called.

Marta sastinga apdomā, bet pievienojās viņiem.

Marta hesitated, contemplating, but joined them.

Viņai sirdi dedzināja tēva vienaldzība, un viņas lūpas bija saspiestas.

Her heart burned from her father’s indifference, and her lips were pressed tightly.

Gints pamanīja viņas skumjas acīs un juta smagu vainas sajūtu.

Gints noticed the sadness in her eyes and felt a heavy sense of guilt.

"Tu zini, cik esmu aizņemts, vai ne?

"You know how busy I am, don't you?"

" viņš klusi jautāja.

he quietly asked.

Marta necenšoties apskatīt tēvu, viltīgi uzmeta plecu.

Without making an effort to look at her father, Marta shrugged slyly.

"Tev vienmēr ir darbs, tēt," viņa atbildēja.

"You always have work, dad," she replied.

Saules rieti bija aizstājušas zvaigznes, un laiks bija pienācis gaismošanas ceremonijai.

The sunsets were replaced by stars, and it was time for the lighting ceremony.

Liene nesa laternu un pasniedza to Gintam.

Liene brought a lantern and handed it to Gints.

Viņa uzrunāja: "Mēs visi ieliekam domas un cerības šajā gaismā.

She addressed him: "We all put thoughts and hopes into this light.

Ko tu vēlētos vēlēt?

What would you wish for?"

"Signāldieze telefona somā vibrēja, liekot pirkstiem to pārlaizīt, bet Gints savilka dūri.

The notification buzzed in the phone pocket, causing his fingers to flick over it, but Gints clenched his fist.

Viņš pacēla galvu.

He raised his head.

"Atvainojiet," viņš teica, izliekoties par piemiņas mirkli, bet viņa prātā kaba darbā.

"Sorry," he said, pretending to be in the moment of remembrance, but his mind was stuck at work.

Sargeņģelis viņā runāja: "Ir svarīgākas lietas.

His guardian angel spoke to him: "There are more important things."

"Ar sāpīgu mirdzumu acīs Marta skatījās uz viņu.

With a painful glow in her eyes, Marta looked at him.

Gints ierādīja lēmumu.

Gints made a decision.

Viņš nolaida telefonu, nopūta un pievienojās, pirkstos turēdams Martas roku un Lienes, kas atgādināja par ģimenes saikni.

He put down the phone, sighed, and joined, holding Marta’s hand, and Liene's, reminding him of the family bond.

Viņi visi pacēla laternu.

They all lifted the lantern.

Gints atvadījās no steidzīgā pasaules, kas atstāja viņu noguruma ēnā un tuvāk ģimenei, kuru viņš tik ilgi bija atstājis novārtā.

Gints took leave of the hurried world that left him in the shadow of fatigue and drew closer to the family he had long neglected.

Laterna pacēlās debesīs, spīdot pret zvaigžņoto tumsu.

The lantern rose into the sky, glowing against the starry darkness.

Tas bija apsolījums un jauns sākums.

It was a promise and a new beginning.

Gints sajuta siltumu, ne tikai no laternas, bet arī no Martas rokas.

Gints felt warmth, not only from the lantern but also from Marta's hand.

Viņi, lūdza viens otram piedošanu, vārdiem kurus neizteica, bet kurus abiem vajadzēja dzirdēt.

They asked each other for forgiveness, words unspoken but needed to be heard by both.

Tētis un meita, rokrokā, sāka ticēt jaunam solim uz priekšu.

Father and daughter, hand in hand, began to believe in a new step forward.

Tas bija tikai sākums, bet tas bija arī viss, kas viņiem bija vajadzīgs.

It was only the beginning, but it was also everything they needed.

Tā kā viņi vēroja laternu nariséjo debesīs, Gints zināja — šī bija viņa īstā ģimenes minūte, un viņš to bija laicīgi pieņēmis.

As they watched the lantern rise into the sky, Gints knew—this was his true family moment, and he had embraced it just in time.

Apsluipdams Martu pie sevis, viņš klusi teica: "Es būšu vairāk šeit, vairāk kopā ar tevi.

Hugging Marta close to him, he quietly said, "I will be here more, more with you."

" Viņa apķērās viņam ap vidukli.

She wrapped her arms around his waist.

Šajā deju krāsā naktī, viņi atrada jaunu cerību līdzsvaram starp darbu un ģimeni — un sirdī ielietāja mieru.

In this colorful night's dance, they found new hope in balancing work and family—and poured peace into their hearts.