"Hero to Hero"

As many of you know, this past weekend was one of the most looked forward to weekends of our Summer, and then most difficult weekends of our lives.  We attended the 3rd Annual Kidd's Kids Golf Tournament in New Orleans, so that Rowan could present the charity's founder, Kidd Kraddick, with his fundraising check totaling over $5000.  Unfortunately, Kidd passed away suddenly and unexpectedly during the event. It was shocking and devastating, but we have been able to find many good, positive things that ended up coming out of this monumental weekend.  This blog is about just one of those........

During the golf tournament, Rowan was able to meet several Terrytown Firemen, and what they did for him that day he will surely never forget.

First of all...He made friends with them...and their Fire dog;-) And that alone brought a smile to his face.

 

Then, out of the blue, they came over and asked if they could take Rowan for a ride on the fire truck.

 

 

Rowan was ECSTATIC! Especially about the sirens, lights and running red lights (ahem...can I say that?)  His sister Zoe asked Rowan if that was illegal and Rowan said "ZOE! They are saving people's lives...how can it be illegal for them to run a red light so they can get there faster?!" Rowan was so happy.  He thanked and hugged the firefighters after his ride.



 

A little while later... As if the ride on the fire truck wasn't enough... As if Rowan being able to ride in the front of an emergency vehicle, rather than in the back of one wasn't a first... Fireman Ducote said he wanted to see Rowan outside one more time, to give him something.  We were completely blown away by the absolutely over the top, selfless gift he then presented Rowan with...his own  helmet! 

 

 

 

 

He said he had been a firefighter for 12 years and that he really wanted Rowan to have it because he was inspired by him that day.  He was inspired by Rowan. This man saves lives for a living, and he was inspired by Rowan.  That said a lot, to Rowan, and to our entire family.

 

Rowan was pretty much in shock.  His response: "I  might take this off when I sleep!"

Talk about making a kids day, making him feel special, allowing him to fulfill a normal boyhood dream off being a fireman, even if just for a few minutes.  This was priceless.

 

 

Then he made it even more invaluable, by signing it over to Rowan.  We will cherish this gift forever.
Rowan does take it off to sleep, but that's about it:)

 

Today I got to thinking about how neat this experience was, and how fitting it was that it happened at a Kidd's Kids Fundraising Event, because Firemen Ducote, and the rest of the Terrytown Firemen acted in Kidd's image that day, in the spirit of his charity:

 

 They helped make Rowan's day special. 

 They made him forget he was sick. 

They got him out of his medical stroller and into a firetruck, a real, big, shiny, red firetruck. And they gave him a day he will never, ever forget!

 

 

So, while it was a very tough weekend in the end, this is one memory that wouldn't have ever happened, had we not all been gathered in an effort to raise money for Kidd's Kids and the Kraddick Foundation.

 

 

Thank you, from the bottom of Rowan and our entire family's heart...all of you!

May God bless you and keep you.  We won't forget.

You are the real heroes.