Keep Your Fork

I just received this email and thought that I HAD to share with you all. I was moved and also will never look at a fork the same way.

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 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. Cherish the time you have, and the
memories you share.... being friends with someone is not
an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.

And just remember...keep your fork!