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?" the pastor replied.
"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?" 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.

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.

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.