There was a young woman who had been diagnosed¹

with a terminal² 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 scriptures³ she would like read, and

what outfit⁴ 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 inevitably⁵ lean over and say,

''Keep your fork.'' It was my favorite part because

I knew that something better was cominglike

velvety⁶ 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 cloak⁷ 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 symbolized⁸ to her. The

pastor⁹ 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."

Cherish¹⁰ the time you have, and the memories you

share being friends with someone is not an

opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

" If you are thinking one year ahead, you plant rice. If you are

thinking twenty years ahead, you plant trees. If you are thinking

a hundred years ahead, you educate people.