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Thursday, September 29, 2005

Am I A Fireman Now?

I got this email today and wanted to share it. It's another one of those touching kind. I have seen this a number of times and each time I read it, it brings tears to my eyes and shivers down my spine. Hope you enjoy!
HOW BIG OUR GOD IS

Stop telling God how big your storm is.Instead tell your storm how big your GOD is!

In Phoenix, Arizona, 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 stillwanted 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 canmake your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local firedepartment in Phoenix, Arizona,where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as bigas 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'clockWednesday morning, we'll make him an honoraryfireman for the whole day.We 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 video taped 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 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 Billy's third floor open window. Sixteen 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.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

it felt like something was caught in my throat and i was teary eyed while reading this. this is a very touching story.

yes, our GOD is bigger than any storm we experience in life.

M. C. Pearson said...

With tears rolling down my face unchecked, I read this aloud to my two sons ages 4 and 10. It was so hard to get through but with voice cracking and many pauses for deep breaths, we did. Thank you. What a great example of sharing and loving those firemen had. Beautiful and touching.

Jennifer said...

Oh my gosh, that took my breath away. You get the best emails. Thanks for sharing them with all of us.

Saija said...

to be with Jesus, childlike faith is all we need ...

Live, Love, Laugh said...

wow, that was so good. I loved this, thank you so so much for sharing it with us. God Bless you Shelly!!!

Unknown said...

Wow,you can't read this without showing emotions. Well I sure wont have dry eyes.Thank you for sharing this story.It tugs at the heart strings.God Bless You.

Joe said...

What a gread day that was!

Thank you for a touching post.

Kelly said...

This was so touching. Some may have expected him to be supernaturally healed in the end but our God performs all manner of miracles for His people.

Thanks for sharing this.