My 8-year-old adopted granddaughter was left at home while my son and his wife took their biological son. She called me at 2:00 AM crying, ‘Why Grandpa?’ I booked last-minute tickets and within 12 hours we crashed their vacation!

I realized that Monday was still four days away and my jaw tightened with a rage I had to keep hidden from her.

“Grandpa, why did they not want to take me with them too?” she asked in a tiny voice.

I put my fist against my mouth to stop myself from saying something that an eight year old child did not need to hear.

Anger is an easy emotion that leaps up bright and hot, but love requires choosing the right words while rage stands nearby with a match.

I had spent my entire adult life teaching myself how to remain calm in courtrooms where restraint is always rewarded.

“You did absolutely nothing wrong, and I want you to remember that,” I told her firmly.

“But why did they leave me?” she asked again with a desperate need for an answer I did not have.

I told her the truth by saying I did not know yet, but I knew that the reason rarely changed the damage done.

“I am going to come and get you right now, so I want you to listen to me carefully,” I promised.

She asked if I was mad, and I looked at the photograph of Sarah on the dresser for strength.

“I am not mad at you at all, and I think you were very brave to call me tonight,” I said.