There was a 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. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the 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 woman continued, "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say...

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.

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

The woman explained.
"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 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 woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible 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 woman shortly before she died, about the fork and 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 oh so gently, that the best is yet to come...

May God bless you and keep you safe.

With a lot of love and God's hand you can do things in life you never dreamed you could, or prayed that you would never have to.

          I was married and divorced for several years when I met my second husband. He said it was love at first sight for him and he knew I would be the one who would be with him the rest of his life. It took a little longer for me to agree, but eventually I realized he was right. From the first day we met we spent time together everyday, not just a few minutes here and there, but from the time I got off work until it was time for me to head home and go to bed for the night.

          My husband was a diabetic, I knew this before we were married. It was no big deal -- just take a shot every day and things will be fine. As the year went by my husband's health slowly went down hill until he went on dialysis and I learned to do this a home. Everyday before I went to work I would set up the machine, it would run until I returned at night. I would get so tired and depressed I wouldn't know which day it was. Dave always knew what to say and tried to help around the house as much as possible to make my life easier. He tried so hard to help me, make me smile, and not show just how sick he was.

          Even after he was wheelchair bound we still did everything together -- camping, traveling, and his love was fishing. We took that old wheel chair in places I would never have dreamed possible. Up banks, down banks, and even on a boat. It was a lot of hard work but the happiness on his face was well worth it.

          Dave use to tell anyone he talked to that he had married the most beautiful girl in the world. Most were amazed by his description of me, because I am not pretty much less beautiful and I am a full figured person. But in his eyes I was everything. I just wish he could have seen me, for he was totally blind.

          A few years later his foot got a sore on it and eventually it had to be removed below the knee. He was in such pain before it was removed he would sit and cry, but he would only do this after I had closed the door when heading for work. Outside one day I couldn't place the noise I was hearing, I went back inside and that is how I found out just how much he was trying to keep a happy face for my benefit. We talked and cried together and promised not to put on a happy face but when feeling sad to love the other more. Instead of each of us saying our prayers by ourselves we said them together and gave us so much strength to face whatever was sent our way.

          It wasn't a month after losing his leg that I lost him. The doctor called and said he went into cardiac arrest. I said one final prayer for him be pain free and in peace if it was God's will.

          He had passed on while I was on my way to see him. About half way there I slowed down the car and I knew somehow he was no longer in that bed, but with God, and there was no hurry to get there to say our goodbyes. I now realize we said goodbye the day before and every day we had together and in everything we did together. I miss him so very much and if I had to I would go through all the hard work and heartache all over again. For I know God has a plan for each of us and we may not understand the reason things happen the way they do but we learned to treasure every day as if it were your last.

          By reading this you may think he died at an older age for all he went through but he died on July 30, 1998 at the age of 41. You see we put a lifetime of happiness, love, companionship, joy, and many many tears into just short 12 years. I am here to say that with the Grace of God you can face anything at anytime if you let Him help you.

          Have faith in God and he will make you strong enough to handle situations that comes up.

(this was a HEARTWARMERS letter, included in the Feb.25,1999 issue of the HEARTWARMERS 'daily' NEWSLETTER)

          Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat.

          Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

          And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.

          My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they are so convenient.

          Thank you for this finger-smudged refridgerator that needs defrosting so badly; It has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.

          Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today; It has baked so many things over the years.

          The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.

          Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

          Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

         And all God's people say....Amen!