There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal
illness
and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting
her
things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to
her
house
to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him
which
songs
she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like
read,
and
what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave
when the
young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly "What's that?" came
the
pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued.
"I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite
what to
say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,"
said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this
story,
and
from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always
tried
to
pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need
of
encouragement."
"In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners,
I
always remember that when the dishes of the main course were
being
cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your
fork.'"
"It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was
coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.
Something wonderful, and with substance!"
"So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a
fork in
my
hand and I want them to wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then I
want
you
to tell them:
'Keep your fork ...the best is yet to come.'"
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the
young
woman good-bye.
He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her
before
her
death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp
of
heaven than he did.
She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many
people
twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.
She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket
and
they
saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her
right
hand.
Over and over, the pastor heard the question.
"What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the
conversation he
had
with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them
about
the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told
the
people
how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that
they
probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you
ever
so
gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare
jewel,
indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They
lend an
ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open
their
hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care.
Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them
more.
For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish
the time you have, and the memories you share... being friends
with
someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means
sending
back
to the person who sent it to you. and keep your fork.
