Keep Your Fork

[Joanie]

Keep Your Fork (long but worth it, I think)

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," te 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 thre 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 yung 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 responsibilty.

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Joanie,
"Keep your fork" is indeed a keeper. I made copies to share. Thank you for posting it.
Kurt & Ann K.

[Joanie]

Thanks, I thought so

However after 76 views and no replies I was beginning to wonder

Joanie,
"Keep your fork" is indeed a keeper. I made copies to share. Thank you for posting it.
Kurt & Ann K.

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Joanie,
By-the way, I apologize for not welcoming you to the forum with my first reply. There are many friendly, well informed people here, some who live outside the USA. Quite a few of the Southwest regulars are attending a spring warm-up rally this week-end in Southern Calif. so they are not on the internet.

Please don't get discouraged, just because folks don't actually reply, doesn't mean they don't read and appreciate a topic, after all 76 of us were interested or curious enough to check it out.
We encourage pertinent comments and topics...that's what keeps the forum so interesting.

Thanks again for participating,
Kurt & Ann K.

[DonInChatt]

Ok, Joanie, here's another reply. Back in my Air Force days, when airplanes had propellers and giants roamed the earth, there was a noticable difference between C-130 crews and fighter pilots...well, other than the obvious differences. We C-130 people always stuck a plastic spoon in the sleeve pocket of our flight suits. Our insightful thinking was that there is always another meal somewhere, so be prepared for it. Fighter pilots, by contrast, fly an hour or two and then back to the officer's club for liquid lunch. This early training never left me. I always have a spoon ready for the next meal somewhere down the road.

[Joanie]

Oh no problem, thanks

BTW I wish I was attending a "warm up" rally
Its pretty chilly here in Michigan

Regards

Joanie,
By-the way, I apologize for not welcoming you to the forum with my first reply. There are many friendly, well informed people here, some who live outside the USA. Quite a few of the Southwest regulars are attending a spring warm-up rally this week-end in Southern Calif. so they are not on the internet.

Please don't get discouraged, just because folks don't actually reply, doesn't mean they don't read and appreciate a topic, after all 76 of us were interested or curious enough to check it out.
We encourage pertinent comments and topics...that's what keeps the forum so interesting.

Thanks again for participating,
Kurt & Ann K.

[Joanie]

"when airplanes had propellers and giants roamed the earth,"


"I always have a spoon ready for the next meal somewhere down the road."

Ok, Joanie, here's another reply. Back in my Air Force days, when airplanes had propellers and giants roamed the earth, there was a noticable difference between C-130 crews and fighter pilots...well, other than the obvious differences. We C-130 people always stuck a plastic spoon in the sleeve pocket of our flight suits. Our insightful thinking was that there is always another meal somewhere, so be prepared for it. Fighter pilots, by contrast, fly an hour or two and then back to the officer's club for liquid lunch. This early training never left me. I always have a spoon ready for the next meal somewhere down the road.

[Bigfoot Mike]

Just got back from the Desert Winter Warm Up near Palm Springs. We had Lori’s famous Sour Dough Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls. I got the ‘center cut’ cinnamon roll. Oh man was it good. No spoons needed.

(OK, back on my diet.)

Check out the New Home Page.

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Don,
I learned long ago that placing one's dining utencils (and napkin) in my shirt pocket made it much easier to juggle a plate, drink and dessert at a church pot-luck. As the saying goes, "works for me".

Mike, where is your "blow-by-blow" account of the week-end? Maybe next time we'll get to participate.
I noticed the Home Page change right away. Did Ian mention where their next stop was, or were they returning to Desert Hot Springs? I've friends who come from Colorado to spend winters there. They usually split their time between Catalina Spa and another park.

It appears as if Lori might be spoiling you just a little bit! Well..., Valentine's just around the bend!
Kurt & Ann K.

[Bigfoot Mike]

Yea, Lori’s been spoiling me for 42 years. She gives me the center-cut for haulin the deep 14” a regular 14” and a 12” deep dutch ovens to the rally.

This time she also made her award winning Sour Dough Bread Pudding in the deep 12”. There were no left overs.

[Kathy Davisson]

Hi, I loved your story. The best indeed is yet to come. Thanks.

[Linda of San Diego]

Great story, I will pass it on.

Linda

[Joanie]

Sour Dough Bread Pudding? YUMMY!!!!!!

Can we get Lori to post her recipe?!!!

Yea, Lori’s been spoiling me for 42 years. She gives me the center-cut for haulin the deep 14” a regular 14” and a 12” deep dutch ovens to the rally.

This time she also made her award winning Sour Dough Bread Pudding in the deep 12”. There were no left overs.

[james kent]

I love the thought BUT if I'm going the other way Then I guess it'll shovel coal too.