For his 93rd birthday, Arnold had only one wish — to hear his children’s laughter echo through his home once more. He prepared the table, roasted the turkey, lit the candles, and waited patiently. But no one showed up. His calls went unanswered or were brushed off — too busy, too tired, maybe another time.
Alone in his quiet cottage, surrounded by memories and dusty photo frames, Arnold felt more forgotten than ever before. Then came a knock at the door. It wasn’t his children, but Brady — a young neighbor working on a Christmas documentary. Recently orphaned, Brady saw in Arnold the family he longed for. In a shared moment of loneliness, they chose to keep each other company. Brady returned with neighbors and joy, filling Arnold’s home with laughter and warmth.
Though it wasn’t his own children, Arnold found a new kind of family that day. When Arnold passed away, Brady honored his promise — carrying Arnold’s walking stick to Paris, holding with him the love of an old man who only wanted to be remembered.