n Queensland, Australia, a 26-year-old mother stared down
at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukaemia.
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 & fulfil all his dreams.
Now that was no longer possible. The leukaemia would see to
that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true.
She took her son's hand and asked, "Ben, 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?" "Mummy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew
up." Mum smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make
your wish come true."
Later that day she went to her local fire Station in
Brisbane, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big
as Queensland. 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 full
Monty! 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 Queensland Fire & Rescue Department
on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.
They're all manufactured right here in Brisbane, so we can
get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Ben, dressed him in
his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the
waiting truck. Ben 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 Brisbane
that day and Ben got to go out on all three calls. He rode
in the different fire engines that day.
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 Ben, 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 Ben had
spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Station and asked
if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the
hospital to be with Ben as he made his transition. The
Officer in charge replied, "We can do better than that.
We'll be there in five minutes.
Will you please do me a favour? 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 Ben's third floor
open window-------- 16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder
into Ben'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, Ben looked up at the fire chief and
said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"
"Ben, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your
hand," the O.I.C said. With those words, Ben 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.
My instructions were to send this to at least four people
that I wanted the Gods to bless and I picked you.
This story is powerful and there is nothing attached, PLEASE
do not break this pattern; 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!!!
