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?" 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.