Remember the 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 Minister 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 Minister 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 Minister's reply. > > "This is very important," the young woman > continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my > right hand." > > The Minister 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 Minister. > > 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 socials and > 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 Minister'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 cloak she > was wearing and the fork placed in her right > hand. Over and over, the Minister heard the > question > > "What's with the fork?" And over and over he > smiled. > > During his message, the Minister 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 > Minister 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.

Could someone please look-up the following families in the 1850 census for me please? I have found the index online, but not the census. If anyone knows where it might be online, please let me know and I'll check this out myself. Thanks so very much for your help! Fredreica speyer@bellsouth.net GRANT, CLEAVLAND State: AL Year: 1850 County: Dallas County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule Township: Woodland Beat Page: 300 Database: AL 1850 Federal Census Index GRANT, MARTHA State: AL Year: 1850 County: Dallas County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule Township: Warrenton Beat Page: 253 Database: AL 1850 Federal Census Index GRANTT, H. C. State: AL Year: 1850 County: Dallas County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule Township: Selma Town Page: 304 Database: AL 1850 Federal Census Index GRANTT, WILEY State: AL Year: 1850 County: Dallas County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule Township: Woodlawn Beat Page: 313 Database: AL 1850 Federal Census Index Note: My GGG-Grandfather was Wiley Cleavland Grant. His wife was Martha Eliza Sharp. His father was James Wiley (or William) Grant. His mother was Abagial Ann Shaddock. He had at least one brother who also lived in Dallas County until after the War Between the States. Either his father or his father-in-law raised camels, as did a Mr. Woolsey, who, I believe, may have been a neighbor. I do not know where these census beats are located ,although if anyone knows how to access them via the internet, I would love to know the map site, so I don't know how close these people are to one another. The census page numbers seem to indicate that they live in the same general area. My GG-Grandmother, Mary Ella Grant, was born in 1858 in a community that was known at the time as Frog Level. It was near Bellevue in Dallas County. Bellevue is in central western portion of Dallas County not too far from Browns.