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," the 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 that time on I have 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 d
eep-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 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.