Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Fireman Ben.

Hello my friends ~ I hope you are all enjoying life and

having some fun. All well here, but a little tired, so I am

going to post a lovely story that my brother, Peter, posted

recently. We have different readers, so I hope those of

you who have seen it will bear with me, and those who of

you who have not read it will enjoy the story.

It is called “Fireman Ben.”

In Queensland, Australia 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 still wanted her son's dream

to come true.


She took her son's hand and asked,

"Ben, 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?"


"Mummy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up."


Mum smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire Station in Brisbane, Australia where she met
Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Queensland.


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 '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 full Monty!

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 Queensland Fire & Rescue Department on it, a yellow slicker

like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Brisbane, so we can get them fast."


Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Ben, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him
from his hospital bed to the waiting truck.


Ben 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 Brisbane that day and Ben got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines that day



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 Ben, 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 Ben had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Station
and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Ben
as he made his transition.


The Officer in charge 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 Ben's third floor open window--------

16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Ben'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,

Ben looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"


"Ben, you are, and the Head Chief,

Jesus, is holding your hand," the O.I.C said.


With those words, Ben 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.


Uplifting stories are one of the best gifts we receive.


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A small article called “The Boss and the Leader.”


The Boss drives his men; the Leader coaches them !

The Boss depends on authority; the Leader on Goodwill !

The Boss inspires fear; the Leader inspires enthusiasm !

The Boss says “I”; the Leader says “We” !

The Boss fixes the blame for the breakdown;

the Leader fixes the breakdown !

The Boss knows how it is done; the Leader shows how it is

done !

The Boss says “Go”; the Leader says “Let’s go” !!

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A few quotes - - - -


I have spent most of my life worrying about things that

have never happened. - - - Mark Twain.


You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry.

And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.

- - - Walter C. Hagen.


Always be a first- rate version of yourself, instead of a

secone-rate version of somebody else. - - Judy Garland.


One of the greatest of all principles is that men can do

what they think they can do. - - Norman Vincent Peale.


Bye for now, till next time, take care, Merle.

Post 25

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13 comments:

Susie said...

Merle,
That was such a very touching fireman story (sniff sniff)
My nephew has wanted to be a fireman since he was small and is finally reaching his dream.
(His Mom is an Australian BTW)

Jeanette said...

Dear Merle
this bought a tear when i read it on Peter and again tonight it pulled a few heart strings. liked the boss and nice quotes . take care, keep smiling. Janxoxoxo

Rachel said...

What a touching story!!

TJ said...

that was a most moving story...Great actually!!
Loved it and YOU!!
(((hugs))) dear Merle!!

Pamela said...

Oh, that was so touching...kind of pulled at the old heart strings! That is why we come here, cause you are a "leader"...lol So you have a brother too. lol Have a nice day! :)

Carole Burant said...

Pass the kleenex please, I'm bawling like a baby here...what a very heartwarming story! Makes you realize there are still people out there who care. Beautiful post, Merle, and loved the quotes also...what Mark Twain said is so true! Hugs xoxo

Margaret said...

Hi Merle, anyone who was not moved by that post would have to have a heart of stone. We don't come into the world alone, we should never die alone either, sadly some people do. This little man in the story was truly blessed. Love Margaret

Anonymous said...

Hi Merle, I remember that news item but I was still tearful reading about it today. Then I saw the news item of Terri Irwin being interviewed by Barbara Walters and cried again. I think I'm running out of tissues!!

Hugs to you, Merle, and thank you for your great posts.

HORIZON said...

Merle, what a heart wrenching story. Have missed you and your blog lately. Thank you for still dropping by mine to say hello. Hope you are doing well and looking forward to the warmer weather. Sorry to read about the fires- glad they are under control now, what a scare.
All the best, Horizon xx

Michelle said...

Well i am a blubbering mess after that story! Was very moving Merle :o)

momsmusings said...

That was an awesome story, very moving. I also liked the article about leaders and bosses!

Donna~K said...

ditto what Pea said. I'm so bawling like a baby over here. That was so touching. Thank you for sharing. :)

Tony Merrithew said...

Thanks for sharing those stories. You should do some readers digest articles if you haven't already.