Remember the Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life"? Jimmy Stewart played George Bailey who hit bottom and wished he'd never existed. An angel - named Clarence - trying to earn his wings is tasked with the job of "saving" George. Clarence grant's George's wish and shows him how life would have been if George had never been born. It's a poignant story which gets me thinking about the impact I may be making in someone's life and don't even know it.
Recently a story was released about a New York City fire-fighter who saved an infant from a burning building in 1967. He received many accolades for his rescue, but as the years slipped by, the incident gradually faded from people's memories. The firefighter, however, never forgot. He actually kept a framed copy of the front page of that days' newspaper - which contained a photo of him and the infant.
He retired after 30 years of fireman's duty, often wondering whatever happened to that little boy. In January of this year, that fireman died at the age of 85. Interested journalists pieced together a trail and found that "baby" still living, now 50 years old. He was living in Virginia Beach, Va, married, the father of seven, and a minister. He too had wondered over the years about the fireman who had saved his life.
Although unable to attend the funeral himself, he sent his 28 year old daughter to stand as the family representative to honor the fireman. She said that over the years her father times told the kids 'He risked his life to save my life ... and that's why I was able to give you life." She was grateful and honored to finally know about the man who made a big difference that day when he was 'only doing his job.' That's a great ending and certainly an great example of a WONDERFUL LIFE. (The Pittsburgh Catholic- Senior Living insert - Friday, April 11 2014, pp 2 & 6)
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