Thursday, November 21, 2013

The Littlest Firefighter - A TRUE story



The Littlest Firefighter

This touching TRUE story of a little boy's last wish is taken from the book Chicken Soup for the Soul.

The 26-year-old mother stared down at her 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 dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Bopsy, 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 six-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 Bopsy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Bopsy 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 Bopsy 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 Bopsy 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 Bopsy 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 Bopsy 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 just the fire 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, extended its ladder up to Bopsy's third floor open window and five firefighters climbed up the ladder into Bopsy'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, Bopsy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?" "Yes, Bopsy, you are a fireman now," the chief said. With those words, Bopsy smiled and closed his eyes one last time. He passed away later that evening.

For more on the background of this amazing true story:

www.wish.org/about/the_first_wish/the_first_make_a_wish_child - Make-A-Wish website on Bopsy
www.personalgrowth... - Bopsy's story and photos in the Phoenix Fire Department's newsletter

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

A beautiful story

Anonymous said...

Tears are flowing; very touching.

Anonymous said...

Tears...such good people in the world and a wounderful mum who made this little boy so happy xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

very beautiful and heart warming, this proves there is some good people out there.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story thank you for sharing so touching to know there are some amazing people out there still

betty-NZ said...

I knew when I started reading that I'd be crying by the end of the story!!

Anonymous said...

So very sad but also very moving. There are still good people in this world after all

Belinda said...

Lord the tears are flowing ; God Bless his Mom and those awesome fire fighters whom made his wish come true and to the nurse whom called them on this very special boys last moments on earth ; you are all awesome thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

beyond words and stunned silence, totally humbled and deepest respects.

Unknown said...

It's a wonderful feeling when you can make someone's last dying wish come true. Thank God for these angels that made his wish a reality
.

vickiburke66@gmail.com said...

What a beautiful story. I have to say i cried and cried. I am so sorry for that family's loss but i am so glad that his dream came true. God bless his mother and all the fire fighters that made that little boys wish come true. I am very glad to know that there are still good people in this world. God will surely bless them. thank you for that uplifting story.

Anonymous said...

God send special Angels in all forms to lead us home.May his mother find comfort and bless all who took part in his wish.Thank you Lord for placing these people in his life.

Anonymous said...

There are indeed amazing people in this world..beautiful and also touching story..God bless all those who were there for the young till da end..wow amazing indeed..

Anonymous said...

sat here with very wet cheeks and a huge smile on my face for such a brave young man, god bless him

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful story when the fireman came though the window they opened the grates of heaven just for bobsy

lisa gegory said...

wow! that was beautifull! i have to admit, i too have tears rolling down my face! There truly are amazing people in this world that dont realise that something they do which is so trivial to them can mean SO very much to someone else. sweet dreams little Fire Fighter. x

Anonymous said...

I totally agree as I had just finished I almost started to cry

Anonymous said...

Ohhh My Goodness what a beautiful true story ...tears are also running down my face..God Bless these Firemen and Mother to have this angel to become what he wanted to be as he went into Jesus arms.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing beautiful touching overwhelming story, its people like this that can send little angel on his way to heaven by being angels themselves, we lost our son here in Australia following life support 4 yrs ago and the family my family sent on him on his way also to heaven surrounded by love [and heartbreak] but what an amazing story..............................

Anonymous said...

AMEN

salma delia said...

God is great

Anonymous said...

preyers go out to bopsy and his mom and the firefighters that made his wish come true god had a little angel firefighter in heaven god bless all Dianne

Unknown said...

powerful story.......tears still flowing.....amazing the power of the pen

Anonymous said...

Beautiful story still have tears coming down my face

ഉഷശ്രീ (കിലുക്കാംപെട്ടി) said...

great....................

Anonymous said...

Beautiful

Anonymous said...

Heart touching, really great

Anonymous said...

Ohhh that made me cry, so glad he got hes wish, may he R.I.P

Anonymous said...

As an ICU nurse, I share the nurse's belief that one should not die alone. How wonderful that the fire fighters were invited to share in this little boy's passing. This is a testament to the human spirit and proof that there are angel's here, as well as in Heaven.

Anonymous said...

WE HAVE A GRATE GOD AND ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT OUR FAMILY !!AND ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE !!THANK YOU FOR SUCH A GRATE STORY !!THANK TO ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT THERE SHLF OUT TO KEEP US SAFE !!THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH !!GOD BLESS!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful

Anonymous said...

So beautiful ! Life is precious hang on to it as long as you can ! This sweet child got his wish ♥and love by his mother's love ! Made tears to my eyes ♡ so sad and sweet of the fire chief bob and all to fulfill a 6 years old dreams♥

Nancy Bray said...

What a sad but beautiful story. God bless you

Angela said...

WOW such beauty and loving but sad story. It shows the kindness and fulfilment of a parents love and the heartfelt fireman to grant this little boys dreams and wishes. He got his dream and went to rest in gods garden of peace and out of pain. God bless you all and tears rolling down my cheeks. Xx

Anonymous said...

As a Follow Fireman for 31 years this is a touching Story for we do have many angels among us.

Anonymous said...

Such a very sad and beautiful story. Love and Thanks to all those involved. You truly are wonderful people. Good bless you and keep you dafe. RIP little firefighter. X.

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful touching story RIP BOPSY!!

Anonymous said...

Such a touching story ,it breaks my heartbut a great gift was given by the wonderful firefighters God bless them and R.I.P dear little fighter rest with the angles.xx

Unknown said...

There was a tear in my eye as I read this so touching story, Der