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 favourite 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-by e. 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.

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.
...........
Unquote
Isn't it beautiful?
Pass it on.