Last night I stood at your doorstep Trying to figure out what went wrong You just slipped something into my palm and you were gone
I could smell the same deep green of summer 'Bove me the same night sky was glowin' In the distance I could see the town where I was born
It's gonna be a long walk home Hey pretty darling, don't wait up for me Gonna be a long walk home A long walk home
In town I pass Sal's grocery Barber shop on South Street I looked in their faces* They're all rank strangers to me* Well Veteran's Hall high upon the hill Stood silent and alone The diner was shuttered and boarded With a sign that just said "gone"
It's gonna be a long walk home Hey pretty darling, don't wait up for me Gonna be a long walk home Hey pretty darling, don't wait up for me Gonna be a long walk home It's gonna be a long walk home
Here everybody has a neighbor Everybody has a friend Everybody has a reason to begin again
My father said "Son, we're lucky in this town, It's a beautiful place to be born. It just wraps its arms around you, Nobody crowds you and nobody goes it alone"
"Your flag flyin' over the courthouse Means certain things are set in stone. Who we are, what we'll do and what we won't"
It's gonna be a long walk home Hey pretty darling, don't wait up for me Gonna be a long walk home Hey pretty darling, don't wait up for me Gonna be a long walk home It's gonna be a long walk home It's gonna be a long walk home Hey pretty darling, don't wait up for me Gonna be a long walk home Hey pretty darling, don't wait up for me Gonna be a long walk home It's gonna be a long walk home It's gonna be a long walk home
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 andthey 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.
'In Memory of Tammie Burner Mick ' 6/23/63- 5/23/08
Who Fought a very Brave Battle with Cancer, and Died much Too Young .
' The Rain is gonna Fall, the Sun is gonna Shine '........
Anywhere you go, anyone you meet, Remember that your eyes can be your enemies, I said hell is so close, and heavens out of reach, But I ain't giving up quite yet, I've got too much to lose,
Hold me down, sweet and low little girl Hold me down, sweet and low and I will carry you home, Hold me down, sweet and low little girl, Hold me down, and I'll carry you home,
The rain is gonna fall, the sun is gonna shine, The wind is gonna blow, the waters gonna rise, She said, when that day comes look into my eyes, But no ones giving up quite yet, we've got too much to lose,
Hold me down, sweet and low little girl Hold me down, sweet and low and I will carry you home, Hold me down, sweet and low little girl, Hold me down, and I'll carry you all the way, When you say you're fine, But you're still young and out of line, When all I need's to turn around, To make it last, to make it count, I ain't gonna make the same mistakes, That put my mama in her grave, I don't wanna be alone...
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