Story time...

[24 on/ 48 off]

I just happened to be downstairs on the computer, when the front doorbell rang at the fire station. Knowing that most of the guys upstairs would appreciate me getting the door, I logged off ifish.net and went to open the door. It was Saturday night and lots of crazy things could come knocking at our door. We even get the occasional “drop off shooting” victim, where his “friends” leave the victim at our door and then drive off.

I opened the heavy wooden door and standing before me was a young lady and small child, holding her hand.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

She smiled and looked me in the eyes.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but my son Dylan……”

“I WANNA SEE FIRE TRUCKS!” shouted the youngster, interrupting his mother.

I grinned, knowing how young boys feel about fire trucks. Heck, I was just like that at his age.

I looked down at the small body of the boy.

“Dylan- you’re just in time to see all my fire trucks. Every truck I have here wants you to sit inside of them.”

I don’t think I have ever seen a kid smile that big, or jump up and down so fast.

I reached out and took Dylan by the hand, and motioned with my head for his mother to follow us. I led him into the apparatus bay. I heard a gasp from deep within him when his eyes took in the sight of the fire apparatus. Dylan just stopped and gaped at the awesomeness. “WOW!” he screamed.

I always lead the kids to the biggest truck we have first. They are attracted to the big ladder on top. I then got ready for the questions that always come.

“Where do you sit?”
“Is it loud?’
“How fast will it go?”
“Where is the water?”
“Is it scary?”

I smiled and explained each answer to Dylan. I don’t think he was listening, because his little mind was still taking in the massiveness of the red fire truck. All he wanted to do was climb up on the truck and sit in the cab. I boosted him up and set him in the driver’s seat. The steering wheel was almost bigger than he was, but that didn’t matter to him. He turned the wheel back and forth and made siren sounds from his pursed lips. I was smiling, Dylan was smiling, but his mother’s smile was fast fading. I noted that, but Dylan’s energy pounced again. He wanted to sit in another truck. We moved on.

At our next truck, Dylan once again was assisted to the seat, and again, he was off to imaginary fires, sirens screaming. I grabbed a real firefighter helmet from a nearby rack and asked Dylan if he wanted to wear a real firefighters hat. Another squeal of delight emanated from him. The darn thing about covered his eyes, but he didn’t mind, he was in heaven. Oh, the joys of watching a child’s dream come true.

I took a moment to ask his mother her name. She told me her name was Deborah.

“Nice to meet you Deborah,” I said. “My name is [spud].” I shook her hand.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you seem upset about something. I know its probably none of my business, but is there anything I can do?”

Deborah’s eyes shifted down to her feet. She was silent for a moment and then looked back at me. A tear was forming in each of her eyes. I have seen that look before- that look in people’s faces which says, “I don’t know what to do. I feel so helpless and I am scared as to what is going to happen.”

Dylan distracted us for a moment. Not to take away from the youngsters delight, we moved on to another truck.

“Tomorrow is going to be Dylan’s fourth birthday,” she said. “It will be the first without his father. He left us six months ago.”

“I see. Things aren’t going well?” I asked.

“No.” She said. “I can barely afford rent, I don’t know how I can get Dylan any toys. For kids, birthdays are all about toys. This trip to the fire station is about all I can do right now for him.”

I nodded in agreement, as an idea formed in my head.

Dylan spent another 15 minutes looking at the fire trucks. I took a photo of him in a truck with our Polaroid camera and gave it to his mom. Dylan got the usual stickers, crayons and coloring books that we give all kids which visit our fire station. As they climbed into her car, I noted her license plate number.

After they left, I discussed my “plan” with the other firefighters.

The next morning, my plans turned into action. I contacted the 911 center and obtained Deborah’s address from her license plate. We ate breakfast and then we drove our ladder truck to a nearby warehouse. Stored inside the warehouse were our leftovers from last years “Toy and Joy” Christmas program. Our community is very giving during the holidays, and we had much to spare. We loaded up 4 boxes of airplanes, balls, puzzles, stuffed animals, racing cars and other fabulous toys. Then we drove to Deborah’s and Dylan’s address.

Both were in their “jammies” when they answered the door. Standing outside her door, were me and 3 other firefighters. Dylan poked his head out from behind his mother’s legs. I looked at him.

“Dylan, there is something I forgot to show you on our truck. Want to see it?”

“YEAH!!!” he screamed.

Dylan followed me back to the ladder truck. His mother was right behind us. As another firefighter opened the door to the truck, I spoke to Deborah.

“Consider this a gift from the fire department, and the people of our community,” I said to her.

I then showed her the boxes in the truck. They were overflowing with colorful cartons of toys. Dylan was tearing through them like a child possessed. He was yelling and smiling ear to ear.

Deborah’s emotions were strong, but her spirit was strong as well. Through a low, broken voice and tears of happiness, she thanked me.

The morning was not complete until us five firefighters broke into a terrible rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Dylan. The song was capped at the end by a blowing of our siren.

The neighbors may complain, but our chief would understand.

--spud-- :smile:

[ 02-20-2003, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: 24 on/ 48 off ]

[northriver1]

Great story, brings a few tears to the eye.

[montster303]

AWESOME!!!!! SIMPLY AWESOME!!!!!


and thanks, for all you guys do!!

sincerely,
montster and family

[Hogmaster]

Thanks!

[Rusty]

:grin: :smile:

[Small Fry]

Your awsome. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Cutter]

Great store Spud, WOW you guys are awsome. I bet that was one happy little boy.

[Firedog]

Great one Spud, don't you just love days like those. Nothing better than getting to help someone out. Keep up the great work. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Stz ll]

What a great heartwarming story. My hat is off to you and the other firefighters.

:smile: :smile:

[RogueFishr]

Great story. There is no greater reward than making a difference in the life of a child. You are a credit to your department. Thanks for sharing your story. Hats off to you [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]


RF

[STGRule]

Yay!!! Firefighters are angels on earth. [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

[ 02-21-2003, 10:50 PM: Message edited by: STGRule ]

[The Fishing Geek]

*sigh*
*snif*

Allergies.

[crabbait]

Good for you, Spud. Goes to show we can't always fix everything but sometimes we can fix some things!

Thanx for taking the time to care. :smile:

[Jennie@ifish]

Thank you, Geek, and GVG for showing me this post!
Brought tears to my eyes, but what goodness!

Thank you so much for doing what you do!

Jen

[Straydog]

Good for you and your guys, Spud!

Thanks for sharing your story, I think we all need a bit of an uplift in these troubled times.

You have provided that for many, well beyond Dylan and his mother. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[happybrew]

Dang, you need to warn us before you do that, so we can have the box of Kleenex handy!



happybrew

[riverrat]

our public employees touching the soul of humanity......thank-you......may god bless and protect you all.....

[skein]

Nice goin', Spud - and all you guys and gals out there who show up with nothing on your mind but how to help. You do the service proud! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Thanks for sharing. Reading that was a great way to start my day.

Skein

[norms gone fishing too]

and that why you guys and the police are heros in my wet eyes
you can fish in my boat any time at all

[Grantspastor]

Most excellent!