JOSHUA TIME 821

>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 We dnesday 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.
>
>Please pass this to at least four people you want
>To be blessed. This story is powerful and there is nothing
>Attached, PLEASE do not break this pattern;
>Uplifting stories are one of the best gifts we receive.
>There is no cost, but a lot of rewards, let's
>Continue to uplift one another
>
>
>
>
>Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery and Today is a gift!!!
>