The Ghost of Christmas Past
It wasn't Christmas; it wasn't any sort of special day. He wasn't expecting it, he could never choose it. The choice wasn't his to make, not this time. She was all grown up now, his little Susan. A woman, ready to drive her own life to wherever she pleased, no longer a child.
There weren't tearful farewells, he didn't expect it would take a long time to meet her again. He could always pop by for a visit. He would have ages for that, years, and so would she. The link between them would never break.
It was just a "see you later", he thought. He never knew he wouldn't see her again, not like this, not with this grumpy old face, like an annoying and beloved grandfather. He wouldn't see her again with her young, happy face, so in love and so hopeful.
He didn't realize he was losing her forever. So she just walked away, with his blessing.
He never chose that.