Keep your Fork

[Guest guest]

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 some thing 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 that time on I have 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 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 you.

 

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.

 

And keep your fork.