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 the 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 then he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than
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
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 Their Fork." Cherish the time
you have, and the memories you share...being friends with someone is not an
opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.