And I chose You

daveald · December 15, 2007 17:42

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.

My instructions were to send this to at least four
People that I wanted God to bless and I picked you.

And I chose You

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