Every January I Sent My Son-in-Law $40,000 for My Granddaughter. Then She Whispered, ‘Grandpa, Follow Dad.’

She added three tiny birds to the upper branch.

“Birds can sit there while they wait.”

We made grilled cheese sandwiches.

She told me that another student had asked why she lived with her grandfather.

I asked what she’d said.

“That families can be different,” Emma replied.

“My teacher said that was a good answer.”

“It was.”