there was a young 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 Rabbi (法师）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 （经文）she would like read, and
what outfit （用具）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 inevitably lean over and say,

''Keep your fork.'' It was my favorite part because
I knew that something better was cominglike
velvety （象天鹅绒的, 柔软的）chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.
Something wonderful, and with substance!''

So, I just want people to see me there in that
casket （棺材）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 cloak （斗篷，宽大外衣）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 symbolized to her. The
pastor （牧师）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."

Cherish 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.