Woman and a Fork

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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 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 we filled 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 andthey 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 . < /B>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.

--

**Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.

- B. Sheridan

**My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams.

The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers and the dreams are as beautiful.

~Abram Linwood Urban

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