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 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..'