KEEP YOUR FORK... THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

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 to 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 the fork."

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Comment by MommaToldMeNotToCome on August 29, 2009 at 12:38am: Yes, David, I completely agree... "no man is an island," and what affects one, affects all! Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

Comment by MommaToldMeNotToCome on August 29, 2009 at 12:33am: Thank you Quintus... you truly are a beautiful soul. Much love to you, my friend. *smile*

If there is light in the soul,
There will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.
~ Chinese Proverb

Comment by Adolphus Francis Quintus Andradi on August 28, 2009 at 7:40am: So beautiful, the best is yet come not for a few but for every indivual that inherit the earth, shall we say 6.66 billion to give it a number, of the total population. As David says ipeace will create a tremendous impact to bring this about. Thank you Dear Christie, this sort of thing really inspires one to radiate LOVE and i shall do just that to you, to the family and to the whole world and i still have space for more. Because LOVE is the base to link with the supreme, that in turn makes one limitless.

Quintus

Comment by David Gould on August 28, 2009 at 3:18am: Since joining ipeace...actually I joined before it was launched at the invite of David C and Gordon M...I have always known the best is to come...because this new wave of energy that we are putting into the Peace Movement shows that our message is getting out there and we are becoming the change...but hey...the best is yet to come...when they declare the peace.
Thank you for reminding us that we belong not to ourselves but to something greater than ourselves...and never forget to tell those you love that you love them.

Peace: the only option that makes sense.
Keep passing on this message.

Comment by MommaToldMeNotToCome on August 27, 2009 at 4:24pm: Yes, I guess we do Ravishankara! *smile* If not in this life than the next! Have a lovely day and thanks for the comment!

Comment by MommaToldMeNotToCome on August 27, 2009 at 4:22pm: That's my girl, Joni... I've got a spork around here somewhere, lol! I'll drop it off later hon! Thanks!!
! :)))

Comment by MommaToldMeNotToCome on August 27, 2009 at 4:19pm: Well I guess that depends on how you like to fill your face 'Drifter! lmao! Thanks for the comment!