Fw: Fork

[Guest guest]

This story is from a very dear friend of mine from high school -- we're

having # ?? reunion this June!

Martha Murdock, Director

National Silicone Implant Foundation

Dallas, Texas Headquarters

----- Original Message -----

From: " VIRGINIA PATTON " <jinksie@...>

" dola miller " <adolyam@...>; <fwhite112@...>; " Bobbie Dance "

<bdance@...>; <RepInk1@...>; " MARTHA MURDOCK "

<MAM-NSIF@...>; " Sue Brown " <owbrown@...>

Cc: " Jinksie Patton " <jpatton@...>

Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 7:24 PM

Subject: Fw: Fork

> A friend sent this to me and it was worth forwarding on to you. Jinksie

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: The Holcomb's <magnum1@...>

> <Atempo2@...>; carol seal <calypso21@...>; kay ellis

> <Bjkellis@...>; mom and dad <jbwordjr@...>; barb geddes

> <cgeddes@...>; Carol Holcomb <holcomcj@...>; mary and doug

> frame <Mefdtf@...>; lo santavicca <milosanta@...>; Eichel

> <eichela001@...>; Wane Wier <renaissance35@...>;

> <Stflower63@...>; <MLowe0710@...>; <Ms44louise@...>;

> Barham <cblydia@...>; kristie olivas <krisolivas@...>

> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 2:58 PM

> Subject: Fw: Fork

>

>

> >

> > >

> > > " 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. "

> > > 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 their fork. "

> > > Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share ... being

> > > friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

> > >

> >

> >

>