There was an old cowboy who had finally rode his last roundup and knew he was soon
to pass away.
He had been given a couple months to live and so was getting his affairs in order as
best he knew how.
He contacted a local pastor he had met at weddings, funerals and rare occasions in
church.
He had already told his old cowboy friends what he wanted to be buried in and where.
As the pastor prepared to leave after hearing all the old cowboy's requests he was
suddenly called back by the old cowboy who said "Preacher, one more thing, I 'd like to buried with a fork in my right hand
for everyone to see. This is most important."
The Preacher stood looking quietly at the old cowboy not quite sure what to say.
"That surprises you don't it Preacher/" says the old cowboy. "Well to be honest, I
am a bit puzzeled by your request" said the Pastor.
Slowly the old cowboy explained "My mother told me this story many years ago when I
was still a button. In all my years I have always remembered when the dishs were being cleared away she would lean over
with a wink and say "keep your fork, the best is yet to come."
It was always my favorite part of supper because I knew something better, something
special was coming; choclate cake, cherry pie, homemade ice cream etc.
"As I have for the most part of my life lived out on the range I've not been to too
many churches but still I've lived close to God in a cowboys' kinda way."
"So Preacher with that fork in my hand there in my casket everyone will ask "what's
up with the fork? and I want you to tell them, the best is yet to come!"
The pastors' eyes filled up with tears of joy as he shook the old cowboys' calloused
hand, said goodbye and guessed this could be the last time he would see this old cowboy alive.
However he felt the old cowpuncher had a better grasp of what heaven was like that
he did. He knew there was something better coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the old cowboy lying there and saw the fork in
his 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 had with
the old cowboy before he died and what the fork symbolized to him. He continued and told them how he could not stop thinking
about the fork either and they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently "the
best is yet to come."
Friends are very rare and should be cherished. They make you smile and encourage you
to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise and open their hearts to you.
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."
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