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Keep Your 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 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.'"