Jessica Riley Anderson
Born November 5, 2009 Fairbanks, Alaska 11:02 a.m. AST
“Practically Perfect In Every Way…”
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It was midnight on November 5 when Bethany called me to tell me her water had broken and she and David (and her mom who’d flown up a few days before) were on their way to the hospital.
Needless to say, any hope of sleeping the rest of the night was wasted. 
My mind returned over and over to days of yester-year when this beautiful girl was dancing her way into my heart.
And now the time had come when my own little girl, my first-born, was going to give birth to her own.
It’s a surreal moment when life unfolds through your children. Somehow I felt as if a portion of my being was being reborn in this little bundle of sweetness. And it was all happening thousands of miles away and yet within my own heart.
When I woke LE the next morning I told him that the day when he’d become an uncle for the first time had arrived. And though I needed to go to work and he to school, I’d text him when I knew something.
I was at a Japanese restaurant when Bethany called me, just an hour after Jessica arrived. I broke away from the loud chatter in the background and went outside to take the call.
“Hi Daddy! You’re a GrandDad!”
Five little words reduced me to mush. I crumbled into a blubbering mass right outside the restaurant. The emotions were overpowering and under the magnitude of their significance, I felt an immense sense of joy and pride.
Incredible pride for my daughter who so heroically brought her baby into the world. Joy in the knowledge that Jessica was here among us and enveloped in so much love.
I’ve witnessed all three births of my biological children (even delivered my son Benjamin) and I am convinced there is no more heroic act than that of a woman enduring the selfless act of childbirth. Nothing I have ever done nor could ever do could compare.
I learned she was 6 pounds, 8 ounces and 19 inches in length with curly blonde hair.
Then I heard her cry. Bethany was holding her and it was evident she was hungry! And I crumbled yet again. My tears flowed like a river and my heart was like a geyser showering her in love. In an instant, my whole identity, my entire life had changed.
My life changed forever when Bethany Sara was born. How fitting that she should give me this precious gift of a granddaughter and forever change my life again.
Simply beautiful Barry. Many congratulations!
Oh, Barry, I am so happy for you! What a beautiful, sweet face Jessica has. Hope you’ve got a plan to see her in person very soon!
Beautiful girl.
Congratulations