Apparently this is one version of a TRUE story. Read the 'newest' version of the story and then follow the link at the bottom for the REAL story. Both stories are touching and it's even better to have the REAL story.
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 loving parent, she wanted her son to grow up and
fulfill his dreams. That was no longer possible.
The leukemia would see to that.
But she still hoped.
She took her son' s hand and asked,
"Billy, did you ever dream about what you wanted
to be when you grow up?
Do you have dream for your life?"
"Mommy, I want to be a fireman."
Mom said, "Billy that's a wonderful dream!"
Later that day she went to her local Fire Department
in Phoenix, Arizona. There she met
Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix.
She explained her son's dream and asked Bob
if it might be possible to give Billy
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 fireman's uniform for him,
with a real firehat , 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 Billy up,
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 videotaped for the
local news programs.
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
that no one should die alone, called 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 he could send a fireman
in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his final transition.
The chief said, "We can do better than that.
We'll be there in five minutes. 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. Say, 'It's the department
coming to see one of its finest members one more time.' And be sure
you open the window to Billy's room."
About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck, lights flashing and sirens blaring, arrived at the hospital, extended its ladders up to Billy's third floor open window
and sixteen fire-fighters stormed up the ladder into Billy's room.
With his mother's permission, they hugged him, held him
and told him they were proud of him, and loved him.
In his last moments,
Billy looked at the fire chief and said,
"Chief, am I really a fireman now?"
"You are Billy, and The Head Chief,
is holding your hand."
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 and died.
The REAL Story of Bopsy!
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