Woman and 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.
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 s aid 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 I love and those who are in need of enc ouragement. In all
my years of 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 t wice 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.
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