> > Keep Your Fork > > > > 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. > > > > Share this with a FRIEND > > And keep your fork ..