V jesennom dni, keď lístie meni farby na zlaté a červené, Marek prechádzal známou cestičkou v uzavretej komunite "The Pines".

On an autumn day, when the leaves change colors to gold and red, Marek walked along a familiar path in the gated community "The Pines".

Klenutá cesta bola lemovaná vysokými borovicami, ktoré šumeli vo vetre.

The arching road was lined with tall pines that rustled in the wind.

Bol čas Dušičiek, čas spomienky na predkov a lásku k rodine.

It was Dušičky, a time to remember ancestors and cherish family.

Marek dorazil k domu, kde ho čakala jeho sestra Elena a sesternica Lucia.

Marek arrived at the house where his sister Elena and cousin Lucia were waiting for him.

Elena bola starostlivá a priateľská, vždy mala teplý úsmev na tvári.

Elena was caring and friendly, always with a warm smile on her face.

Lucia, o niečo mladšia, bola zvedavá a vždy plná otázok.

Lucia, a bit younger, was curious and always full of questions.

Marek sa cítil trochu nervózny.

Marek felt a bit nervous.

Dlho tu nebol.

It had been a long time since he was there.

"Vitáme vás, Marek!

"Welcome, Marek!"

" zvolala Elena, keď ho zbadala.

Elena called out when she saw him.

"Chýbal si nám.

"We missed you."

""Aj ja som vám chýbal," povedal Marek, hoci si nebol celkom istý, či je to pravda.

"I missed you too," Marek said, although he wasn't entirely sure it was true.

Mestský život ho pohltil.

City life had consumed him.

V dome sa rozprúdila príprava na tradičné oslavy.

In the house, preparations for traditional celebrations were in full swing.

Staršie ženy už pripravovali obyčajné jedlá, ktoré si Marek pamätal z detstva.

The older women were already preparing simple dishes that Marek remembered from childhood.

Poobede sa všetci zhromaždili v malej dielni, kde ich čakala stará rodinná tradícia.

In the afternoon, they all gathered in a small workshop, where an old family tradition awaited them.

"Dnes budeme robiť sviečky," povedala Elena, ako poukla na stôl plný vosku a knôtov.

"Today, we're going to make candles," Elena said, pointing to a table full of wax and wicks.

"Na dedka si určite pamätáš, ako nás učil.

"You surely remember granddad teaching us."

"Marek sa chcel zapojiť, ale váhal.

Marek wanted to join in but hesitated.

Bude vedieť zopakovať to, čo ich starý otec robil tak láskyplne?

Would he be able to replicate what their grandfather did with such loving care?

Keď Marek začal tvarovať vosk, pomaly sa mu vybavovali spomienky na dedka, na jeho historky a vraskavé ruky, ktoré vyrábali svietniky s ľahkosťou umelca.

As Marek began to shape the wax, memories of his grandfather slowly surfaced—his stories and wrinkled hands making candlesticks with an artist's ease.

Práca ho napĺňala pokojom.

The work filled him with peace.

Videl, ako Lucia sleduje jeho prácu a kopíruje jeho pohyby.

He saw Lucia watching his work and copying his movements.

Do večera Marek dokončil svietnik, na ktorý bol hrdý.

By evening, Marek had finished a candlestick of which he was proud.

Prekvapilo ho, koľko radosti mu toto jednoduché remeslo prinieslo.

He was surprised by how much joy this simple craft brought him.

Bol to svietnik plný farieb, presne taký, aké mal jeho dedko rád.

It was a candlestick full of colors, just like the ones his grandfather loved.

V noci sa celá rodina zhromaždila pri kaplnke.

At night, the whole family gathered at the chapel.

Studený večerný vzduch vonia ihličím a voskovými sviečkami.

The cold evening air smelled of pine and wax candles.

Každý svietnik bol umiestnený na hroboch milovaných predkov.

Each candlestick was placed on the graves of beloved ancestors.

Marek opatrne položil svoj svietnik na dedkov hrob.

Marek carefully placed his candlestick on his grandfather's grave.

Svetlo zo sviečky sa odrazilo na jeho tvári, rozžhavil čosi v jeho srdci.

The light from the candle reflected on his face, igniting something in his heart.

Cítil sa v tom momente pokojný a spojený s dedkovým odkazom viac, než kedykoľvek predtým.

He felt peaceful in that moment, more connected to his grandfather's legacy than ever before.

Napriek mnohým rokom nepřítomnosti v rodine Marek našiel cestu naspäť, cestu k svojim koreňom a tradíciám.

Despite many years of absence from the family, Marek found his way back, a path to his roots and traditions.

Rozhodol sa nikdy nepreklenúť túto cestu.

He decided never to bridge this path.

Od toho večera vedel, že spomienky a rodinné spojenie bude nes mierať ako plameň sviečky, až kým budeš.

From that evening, he knew that memories and family bonds would guide him like the flame of a candle for as long as he lived.