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 r ight hand."

The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surpri ses 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.

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This is a sweet idea. I don't believe there is anything after death, but I do like the idea while we are alive. Keep the fork!

So was it cake or pie? :rolleyes:

Or both!? Oh please say it was both!

Meh, I don't fancy a version of heaven where God can't even afford enough cutlery to go round!

Now this is really inspiring. From this article on a documentary called The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off:

From what I remember, the tiger (and the stars which aren't mentioned here) were a reference to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now, which was played at the funeral. It was all incredibly moving.

Ms Sparkie ... I'm only asking because you clearly didn't get my subtle attempt ... why do you post recycled stuff from your email inbox?

Yes, I remember that documentary... There's nothing like something that distressing yet inspiring to stop you moaning about nothing good being on at the cinema.

Not from emails. Any othe guesses? How do I know what's been posted here for the last 10 years? Are you tag teaming with xoxo?

I saw the documentary on the Boy, and it was terrible to see him suffer, and his mom.

Even I noticed the " " spaces in a couple of words which are a tell-tale giveaway that the text was copied from an email ...

You don't listen very well, do you?

It's copied of course, I didn't pen that......

But from one of many forums I frequent, and it's a new post.

Anything else?

Perhaps you should consider only posting original material?

Umm.....I've seen plenty of people posting things they've cut from other sources. Personally I really don't have a problem with it. If it's interesting, it's interesting, does it really matter where it comes from?

Sunsparkz, I saw that documentary too! What an amazing lad he was. The line that stuck in my mind, was when he said:

"The bodies just a shell....it's just Ive got a dodgy shell"

Doesn't really come across in print. It was the way he said it. Broke my heart.

The Heinz Beans thing was probably a secret hint that he'd been boinking Teresa. I wonder if Kerry knew? Oh...not *that* Kennedy?