Jūrmala bija klusa un burvīga ziemas rītā.

Jūrmala was quiet and magical on a winter morning.

Sniegs romantiskā kārtībā klāja zemi, un no tā atstarojās saules gaisma.

Snow covered the ground in a romantic manner, and the sunlight reflected off it.

Šeit, priežu mijkokos, atradās neliels atpūtas namiņš, kurā pavadīja ziemas brīvdienas Maija un Kaspars.

Here, among the pine trees, there was a small cottage where Maija and Kaspars spent their winter holidays.

Maija bija vecākā.

Maija was the older one.

Viņa vienmēr smaidīja un centās saglabāt pozitīvu noskaņojumu.

She always smiled and tried to maintain a positive attitude.

Bet dziļi sirdī viņa bažījās par to, kā ģimene lēnām kļūst atsvešināta.

But deep in her heart, she worried about how the family was slowly becoming estranged.

Kaspars, viņas jaunākais brālis, bija klusētājs.

Kaspars, her younger brother, was the silent type.

Viņam bija savas pārdomas par nākotni, un reizēm viņam šķita, ka attiecības ar ģimeni ir grūti uzturēt.

He had his own thoughts about the future, and at times he felt that it was hard to maintain relationships with the family.

Viņi abi izbaudīja ziemas atpūtu netālu no jūras.

They both enjoyed a winter retreat near the sea.

Bet Maija juta, ka ir svarīgi šo laiku izmantot, lai atkal satuvinātos ar brāli.

But Maija felt that it was important to use this time to reconnect with her brother.

Viņa nolēma rīkoties.

She decided to take action.

Gājām uz pirti!

They went to the sauna!

Tā bija veca latviešu ziemas tradīcija, un Maija cerēja, ka siltumā viņi varētu atvērties viens otram.

It was an old Latvian winter tradition, and Maija hoped they could open up to each other in the warmth.

Kad viņi nokļuva pirtī, ārā vējš ar ledus vieglumu pūta pār jūras virsmu.

When they arrived at the sauna, the wind outside blew over the sea's surface with icy ease.

Ieejot iekšpusē, gaiss bija karsts un mitrs.

Inside, the air was hot and humid.

Maija sēdēja blakus Kasparam, un, kad spiediens sāka mazināt viņa aizsardzību, Kaspars runāja.

Maija sat next to Kaspars, and as the pressure started to ease his defenses, Kaspars spoke.

Viņš stāstīja par sapņiem, par mācību plāniem un to, kā viņu spiež ģimenes cerības.

He talked about his dreams, his study plans, and how the family's expectations weighed on him.

Maija klausījās uzmanīgi, bez pārtraukumiem.

Maija listened intently, without interruptions.

Viņa saprata, ka Kasparam vēl ir tik daudzas lietas, kuras viņš nevēlas izrunāt ar citiem.

She understood that Kaspars still had so many things he didn't want to discuss with others.

Viņa zināja, ka jāturas klusi, jādod brālim iespēja izteikties bez nosodījuma.

She knew she had to remain quiet, giving her brother the chance to express himself without judgment.

"Brāli, neesi viens.

"Brother, you're not alone.

Es atbalstīšu tevi, kā vien varu," Maija klusām teica, ieskatīdamās viņam acīs.

I will support you as much as I can," Maija said quietly, looking into his eyes.

Šos vārdus klusināja pirts radītais tvaiks, bet tajos bija spēks.

These words were muffled by the steam created by the sauna, but they held power.

Kaspars atviegloti izelpoja, un asaras iemirdzējās viņa acijās.

Kaspars exhaled with relief, and tears sparkled in his eyes.

Citreiz viņam šķita, ka nevienam nav jāzina par viņa grūtībām, bet tagad viņš saprata, ka nevēlas būt viens.

Sometimes he felt that no one needed to know about his struggles, but now he understood that he didn't want to be alone.

Ģimene var būt ne tikai cerību krava, bet arī balsts.

Family can be not just a burden of expectations, but also a support.

Kad viņi atstāja pirti, viņu starpā bija jauna izpratne.

When they left the sauna, there was a new understanding between them.

Sniegs bija saglabājies tik pat balts, bet sirdīs bija ienākušas jaunas krāsas.

The snow remained as white as ever, but new colors had entered their hearts.

Viņi abi devās atpakaļ uz namiņu, apsolot viens otram, ka turpmāk atradīs laiku un spēkus būt blakus.

They both returned to the cottage, promising each other that they would find the time and strength to be there for one another in the future.

Maija saprata, ka atbalsts var būt kluss, bet svarīgs.

Maija realized that support can be quiet but important.

Un Kaspars pirmo reizi sajuta, cik svarīgi zināt, ka ģimene ir līdzās.

And Kaspars felt for the first time how vital it is to know that family is there.

Tādēļ, pat ja jūra ziemā šķita ledusauksta, sirsnībai bija spēks tai pretoties.

Therefore, even if the sea seemed ice-cold in winter, warmth had the strength to resist it.