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.

A Prayer For The One Who Is Left

Lord, the trouble about
life just now
Is that I seem to have all
things which don’t
matter, and to have
lost all the things which do matter.
I have life;
I have enough money to live on:
I have plenty to occupy me:
but I am alone,
and sometimes I feel
that nothing can make
up for that.

Lord compel me to see
the meaning of my faith.
Make me to realise
that I have a hope
as well as a memory, and
the unseen cloud of
witnesses is around me;
that You meant it when
You said that You would
always be with me;
and make me realise that
as long as You leave me
here there is something that
I am meant to do;
and in doing it, help me
to find the comfort and the
courage that I need to go on.

All Is Well

“Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effort, without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind just because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere near, just around the corner.
All is well.”

You Never Will Be Old

You never will be old
with a twinkle in your eye,
with the springtime in your heart
as you watch the winter fly.

You never will be old
while you have a smile to share,
while you wonder at mankind
and you have the time to care.

While there’s magic in your world and a
special dream to hold,
while you still can laugh at life,
you never will be old.
….. Iris Hesselden

A Prayer For Those Who Live Alone

I live alone, Dear Lord, stay by my side.
In all my daily needs be Thou my guide.
Grant me good health, for that indeed, I pray,
to carry on my work from day to day.
Keep pure my mind, my thoughts, my every deed.
Let me be kind, unselfish in my neighbour’s need.
Spare me from fire, from flood, malicious tongues,
from thieves, from fear, and evil ones.
If sickness or an accident befall, then humbly, Lord,
I pray, hear Thou my call, and when I’m feeling low,
on in despair, lift up my heart and help me in my prayer.
I live alone, Dear Lord, yet have no fear, because I feel
Your Presence ever near.

A Creed For Those Who Had Suffered .....

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey...
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise...
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God...
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things...
I got nothing I asked for - but everything I had hoped for;
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed!

--- Attributed to an unknown Confederate soldier

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking .....

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

--- Author Unknown