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.