A Woman and a Fork

This little story was sent to my by my cousin, Sharon. I liked it alot
and thought I would share it with you...my Family and my Friends.


A 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 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 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.'