Finalist: The Sacramento (CA) Bee, by Renée C. Byer

Don Hatfield, 64, snuggles his grandson Alex, the youngest of the three children of his daughter Rachel Winkler who was killed Feb. 27, 2012 in her Cameron Park, Calif., home. Rachel's husband, Todd Winkler, has been charged with her murder.  Already suffering from the loss of his beloved wife Janey to cancer, Hatfield filed for custody of his grandchildren and has just spent his first night tending to 9 month-old Alex in a new rental home in Napa, Calif. (March 17, 2012)

Always within eyesight of his grandchildren, Don Hatfield washes his face and hair in the kitchen sink so he can attend to Alex, 10 months, Ariel, 3, and Eva, 4, as the babysitter arrives.  (April 6, 2012)

Ariel, 3, hangs over her grandfather Don Hatfield's shoulder after balancing and dancing on his knee and following him throughout the house. (April 6, 2012)

Don Hatfield gives his granddaughter Eva, 4, a kiss before heading out to run errands. (April 6, 2012)

Don Hatfield checks to make sure a fax has been received as he coordinates healthcare insurance for his three grandchildren, Alex, 10 months, Ariel, 3, and Eva, 4. (April 6, 2012)

Don Hatfield takes a moment to study the blank canvas on which he will begin his first painting since his daughter Rachel's death in February. (April 6, 2012)

Don Hatfield changes Alex's diaper and has become more comfortable with the daily routine of parenting. (May 16, 2012)

Eva, 5, holds two new Hello Kitty lunch boxes as she waits for her grandfather to finish loading her sister Ariel, 3, into the car.  (May 16, 2012)

Don Hatfield joins hands as he takes his two granddaughters Eva, 5, left, and Ariel, 3, center, to their first day at St. John's Lutheran School in Napa. (May 16, 2012)

Ariel Winkler, 3, wakes up after her afternoon nap in the arms of her grandfather at St. John's Lutheran School where she and her sister are enrolled. (May 16, 2012)

Don Hatfield is caught up in emotion as he thanks Neilann Martinez, of Yountville, who suffers from polio, for delivering him a specially made meal along with his Yountville newspaper, stickers for his grandchildren and a gift certificate. (April 6, 2012)

Don Hatfield shares a tender moment with his grandson Alex, 9 months. Hatfield insisted he could provide the appropriate care for his three grandchildren. (March 17, 2012)

Don Hatfield, 64, appears at El Dorado County Court in the first step to get formal guardianship of Alex, 9 months, Ariel, 3, and Eva, 4.  (April 6, 2012)

As babysitter Brandy Stanley, 37, center, chats with Frankie Young, left, Eva Winkler peeks into a bag after celebrating her fifth birthday.  (May 16, 2012)

Eva Winkler celebrates her fifth birthday dressed as Wendy from Peter Pan as she tries to knock down a piñata.  (May 16, 2012)

Don Hatfield opens a box of cereal for his granddaughters as he readies them for their first day of school before Alex's babysitter arrives.  (May 16, 2012)

Eva, 4, cheers her brother Alex, 10 months, as he learns how to crawl in the hallway of their new home in Napa. (April 6, 2012)

Eva Winkler, 5, gives her grandfather Don Hatfield, a flower on Mother's Day after she attended a children's ministry program at Grace Church in St. Helena. (May 16, 2012)

Don Hatfield plays with his grandchildren, Alex, now 11 months, and Eva, 5, at their home in Napa in March. (May 17, 2012)

In September, Don Hatfield reflects on the loss of his wife and daughter in solitude at his home in Napa. (December 31, 2012)