Woman & a 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. 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 that time on I have always tried to pass along its
>>message to those attending socials and 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 cloak 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. He 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
>> The best is yet to come!
