Grandma, as her safe harbour, is the granddaughter's shopping companion, travel partner, late-night phone call best buddy. She is the most relaxed and comfortable person for the little girl to get along with, without any pressure.

Safe harbour, however, cannot last indefinitely. As the girl grew up, stress and worries amassed, and pushed her towards the brink severely. Those happy days are too fleeting.

It is a cruel reality. Time ages loved ones and subjects her to pain, until she can no longer share in the girl’s joys and sorrows.

That night was the eve of Lunar New Year. The hospital enforced strict protocols for isolation. Regardless of the depth of the relationships, nobody was granted the mercy of being present until her very end. Her beloved grandma, clinging to the final breath, being denied the solace of a tender farewell. In batches, the family entered the room, holding her hand with tubes, saying goodbye painfully, then waiting outside the ward as the faint heartbeat slowly faded away.
A fragile pulse silenced, leaving life in disarray. In her first encounter with death, the loss of safe harbour had left her alone in the storm of grief. Grandma's golden chain ring became an object that held fragments of her soul, a precious vessel of memories. Despite its inadequate size and style, she carried it like a talisman of peace.

Learning to let go became an awakening process for her, rather than locking away sorrow inside. Gradually, she learned to coexist with distress, embracing pain as a companion by her side.