A man and a fork from my good friend Mel Bryan.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMan and a Fork<\/p>\nThere was a young man who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness
\nand had been given three months to live. So as he was getting hi
\nthings \u2018in order,’ he contacted his Priest and had him come to his
\nhouse to discuss certain aspects of his final wishes.<\/p>\nHe told him which songs he wanted sung at the service, what scriptures
\nhe would like read, and what outfit he wanted to be buried in.<\/p>\nEverything was in order and the Priest was preparing to leave when the
\nyoung man suddenly rememberedsomething very important to him.<\/p>\n\u2018There’s one more thing,’ he said excitedly..<\/p>\n
\u2018What’s that?’ came the Priest’s reply.<\/p>\n
\u2018This is very important,’ the young man continued.<\/p>\n
\u2018I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.’<\/p>\n
The Priest stood looking at the young man, not knowing quite what to
\nsay.<\/p>\nThat surprises you, doesn’t it?’ the young man asked.<\/p>\n
\u2018Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,’ said the Priest.<\/p>\n
The young man explained. \u2018My grandmother once told me this story, and
\nfrom that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to
\nthose I love and those who are in need of encouragement.<\/p>\nIn all my years of attending socials
\nand dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course
\nwere being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say,<\/p>\n\u2018Keep your fork.<\/p>\n
\u2018 It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was
\ncoming \u2026 like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.<\/p>\nSomething wonderful, and with substance!’<\/p>\n
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in
\nmy hand and I want them to wonder \u2018What’s with the fork?’<\/p>\nThen I want you to tell them:<\/p>\n
\u2018Keep your fork \u2026 the best is yet to come.’<\/p>\n
The Priest’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young
\nman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would
\nsee him before his death.<\/p>\nBut he also knew that the young man had a better grasp of heaven than
\nhe did. He had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many
\npeople twice his age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.<\/p>\nHe KNEW that something better was coming.<\/p>\n
At the funeral people were walking by the young man’s casket and they
\nsaw the suit he was wearing and the fork placed in his right hand.
\nOver and over, the Priest heard the question, \u2018What’s with the fork?’
\nAnd over and over he smiled.<\/p>\nDuring his message, the Priest told the people of the conversation he
\nhad with the young man shortly before he died. He also told them about
\nthe fork and about what it symbolized to him.<\/p>\nHe told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and
\ntold them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about
\nit either.<\/p>\nHe was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it
\nremind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come<\/p>\nFriends are a very rare jewel, indeed.<\/p>\n
They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.<\/p>\n
Cherish the time you have,and the memories you share. Being friends
\nwith someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.<\/p>\nSend this to everyone you consider a FRIEND\u2026 and I’ll bet this will
\nbe an Email they do remember, every time they pick up a fork!<\/p>\nAnd just remember \u2026 keep your fork!<\/p>\n
The BEST is yet to come!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n