Kaarinan kesäloma

Kaarina Holsti walks through the heavy doors of a red‑brick hospital for the first time, her heart a mix of fear and determination. She finds her father frail in his bed, his once‑strong hands now unable to hold her, while her mother tries to keep the mood light with jokes about oranges and schoolwork. The corridors echo with the scent of medicines, yet Kaarina’s bright curiosity pushes her to ask about the world beyond the wards.

As the family discusses a possible trip to a French spa town for her father’s treatment, the promise of a summer away sparks both excitement and anxiety in the young girl. She wrestles with feelings of guilt for wanting fun while her father suffers, and with the expectations placed on her as the “favorite child.” Through tender conversations and quiet moments, Kaarina begins to understand the fragile balance between duty, hope, and the simple joys of childhood.