Adieu

Elara pulled back, tears welling. "But that sounds like you’re leaving forever!"

One autumn, Elara's grandfather, the village’s oldest clockmaker, grew very ill. He called her to his bedside and handed her a small, tarnished silver compass. "I’m going on a long journey, Elara," he whispered. Elara pulled back, tears welling

"It sounds like a hand-off," he said softly. "When I say adieu , I am acknowledging that I can no longer hold your hand or watch over your path. So, I am placing you into the hands of something much bigger than myself. I am entrusting you to the universe, to the Creator, to the stars. It is the most loving thing I can do—to let go and trust that you will be looked after." "I’m going on a long journey, Elara," he whispered

The old man shook his head gently. "No, my dear. Say adieu ." So, I am placing you into the hands

"Then I'll say 'see you soon,'" Elara replied, her voice trembling.

She leaned in, kissed his forehead, and whispered, "Adieu, Grandfather."