Am I A
Fireman Yet ??
In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared
down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.
Although her heart was filled with sadness,
She also had a strong feeling of determination.
Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfill all his dreams.
Now that was no longer possible.
The leukemia would see to that but she still wanted her son's dream to
come true.
She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what
you wanted to be once you grew up?
Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"
Mommy, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up."
Mom smiled back and said,
"Let's see if we can make your wish come true."
Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona,
where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix.
She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to
give her 6 year old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.
Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that.
If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll
make him an Honorary Fireman for the whole day.
He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire
calls, the whole nine yards!
And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him,
with a real fire hat - not a toy --
One-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department
on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.
They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform
and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder
truck.
Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the
fire station.
He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and
Billy got to go out on all three calls.
He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's van, and even the
Fire Chief's car.
He was also videotaped for the local news program.
Having his dream come true, with all the Love and attention that was
lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months
longer than any doctor
thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the Head
Nurse, who believed in the hospice concept -
that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the
hospital.
Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called
the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in
uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, "We can do better than that.
We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor?
When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you
announce over the PA system, that there is not a fire?
It's the Department coming to see one of its finest members one more time.
And will you open the window to his room?
About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital
and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window --------
16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room.
With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him
how much they LOVED him.
With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief,
am I really a fireman now?"
"Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the
Chief said.
With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my
hand all day, and the angels have been singing.."
He closed his eyes one last time.
I wanted to send this to at least five
people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you.
Please share this with at least five people you want
to be blessed. This story is powerful and heart warming.
Uplifting stories are one of the best gifts we receive.
There is no cost, but a lot of rewards, let's
continue to uplift one another!!!
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