Some Atlanta area firefighters did some training on the roof of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. As they rappelled down the 80-foot building, they made some new friends along the way. As they lowered themselves floor-by-floor, they would pause at the windows and wave to the tiny patients who were watching.
"Not everyone wants someone in the room with the kids, so it was a cool way of them getting to be close to us without us having to go in their rooms," said Capt. Kyle Sweeney.
But as the firemen made their way down they saw the children's eyes light up. Both the children and the firefighters reached out to each other, and an instant bond was formed.
"For us to be able to feel that emotional connection with a piece of glass between us," said Lt. Anderson.
"It really brightened his day," said Zach Lansdell, whose son Levi is a patient at Children's.
The smiles of the children through the windows made the first responders want to meet them, so they headed inside.
"To see the happiness it brings them that's fulfilling for us," said Capt. Sweeney.
"Every kid in there has a story, every kid, every family member. They don't have any idea what kind of joy they gave us," said Lt. Anderson.
Photo: Children's Hospital of Atlanta