> Subject: 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 Rabbi 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 Rabbi 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 Rabbi's reply. > > "This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried > with a fork in my right hand." > > The Rabbi 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 Rabbi. > > 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 Rabbi'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 Rabbi heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and > over he smiled. > > During his message, the Rabbi 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. > > Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back > to the person who sent it to you. > > »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«§:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*: »§« My friends tell me that I refuse to grow up, but I know they're just jealous because they don't have pajamas with feet. Richiele 'Marie <*}}>< MSN [email protected] »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«§:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«