Bowtech_archer07 Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I cried when I read this. This is very touching and it's well worth the read... This story is uplifting and may make you cry and question yourself each day to live to the fullest, help others, and stop whining about high gas prices and the cold weather. Warning, don't read if you wish to remain the same person you are today. Someone very special in my life shared it with me, and I felt compelled to share with the world - starting with all of you. Enjoy... 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 Paramedics' 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I cried when I read this too, Bowtech_archer07. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story of compassion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 This email is a little miss leading ... Here's the TRUE story on this email that's been floating around .. http://www.snopes.com/glurge/fireman.asp It's a very good read .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 great stories. yep, he's a real fireman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I love snopes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtech_archer07 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 This email is a little miss leading ... Here's the TRUE story on this email that's been floating around .. http://www.snopes.com/glurge/fireman.asp It's a very good read .. Sorry VermontHunter. I didn't know about the article on Snopes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I've seen that before but still a great story. Thanks for sharing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sorry VermontHunter. I didn't know about the article on Snopes Absolutely nothing to be sorry about ,,, it's still a great story either way ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladybird Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I've seen this before,and it gets to me everytime,it's a great story,thanks for sharing it with us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IN_hunter Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 i got teary eyed when i read it also amazing story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYTnMUZZYboy Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Great story! I to got a lil teary eyed when reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I am crying as I type this. We just laid our dear friend and EMT Rosalie to rest today. Very touching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireStrut Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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