A Woman and a 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' 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 wou;d 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 Rabbi 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.

 

 

And keep your fork.