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.