Am I a Fireman Now?





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 and 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.