两千那一年，我们初到陌生的德州，居住的小区百户另三家，散落在一湾有
五六百英亩地的青翠小山峦里，在常年流水潺潺的小溪边，我家与Adriane
一家遥遥相望，自此我们成为相互生活里的朋友，再到不可或缺的好朋友。
但逢感恩、圣诞、新年...... 我和外子每每被当作家庭成员，一无遗漏地被他
们一家五口真诚温馨邀请，出席节日盛宴。和Adriane一家在一起，我们总是
得到自然款待，相互谈笑裕如。刚认识时，他们三个美丽的女儿，最小的九
岁到最长的十四岁，已经出落得礼貌周到、仪态万方。认识不久后，跟我家
学着沿用东方的家规，他们在家里也开始进门就脱鞋了。节日里，他们全家
人一起动手，早几天起就开始用传统的手法，准备制作一道道美味又美观的
佳肴、蘸汁和甜点。我原本不很会做饭，其时在他们的怂恿下也兴致勃勃在
他们家的厨房里手把手地教他们包饺子，用来作为餐前的一碟小吃。聪明不
过的女孩们，三双健康而娇嫩的素手，那么优雅那么轻快。从和面、搅馅、
擀皮、包饺、下锅，直到上桌，一切都曼妙轻盈，和谐愉悦。
四年后，我和外子因为工作关系搬回加州，而Adriane一家也因工作关系搬去
肯奈缇卡州（Connecticut）。自此我们少了谋面，却多了电话邮件往来。
不仅和Adriane夫妇通信和电话，而且孩子们每一位毕业，每一次赢得大小奖
项，每一个男朋友进入她们的世界，凡此种种家庭里的喜事，我们都一一近
水楼台频获第一手消息。
前年Adriane夫妇带着最小的女儿一同前来加州访问我们，约好下一次我们
去探望他们。我和外子今天正式决定明年的秋天，我们要去肯奈缇卡州回访。
为了这个美丽的梦想，我们开始预备最理想的心情礼物。外子一早就开始收
拾车库，我也帮着他把杂物移到顶层的格子间。经过一个上午的努力，现在
的一间车库已然宽敞明亮，它有足够的空间作为外子的画室。看到外子开心
的样子，我也开心地想象到底他会做上一幅或几幅怎样的画呢？悄悄地，我
期待着。
下面是今早Adriane发来的邮件部分内容，也是让我们终于决定明年一定要出
行回访他们的新动力。传上来和城里的朋友们分享：
How many times I've been to family gatherings and I hear these
words....keep your fork. I really like this story and hope you do,
too.
Woman and a Fork
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
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.
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 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
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 she was wearing 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 young woman shortly before she died. He also told
them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He 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
or 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.
I consider you a FRIEND.
And keep your fork.
《星光携梦》