Keep the Fork

I got this email today by a dear friend of mine and I thought I would share. It brought tears to my eye and what a lovely thought. So here you go! Enjoy!

There was a young member 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 Bishop and had him come to her house to discuss the aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral service, what scriptures she would like read, and the Temple Clothes she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Bishop was preparing to leave when the young member suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.

'What's that?' came the Bishop's reply.

'This is very important,' the young member continued.



'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Bishop stood looking at the her for a long moment, speechless & not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' she asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Bishop.

"Let me explain", she said 'My grandmother once told me this story,
and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to
those I love and also to those who are in need of encouragement.



In all my years of attending ward 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 of every event, because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie, a jelly roll or delicious upside-down cake. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in my 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 Bishop's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young lady 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.



There was no question, She KNEW that something better was coming, and she wanted others to know, she knew!!!

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and
they saw her Temple Clothes with the home-made apron, she was wearing and the fork placed snugly in her right hand.





Over and over, the Bishop heard the question,

'What's with the fork?'

And over and over he smiled, knowing his message would be well received.

During his message, the Bishop told those in attendance, 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.

He 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.
Friends make you smile and encourage you to succeed
Friends make you 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 remember, "KEEP YOUR FORK"