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Duncan, I received this poem from Brother Angus
Rennie whilst he was terminally ill. Angus showed such courage and
fortitude right up to the end and was an inspiration to those who were
fortunate enough to know him. I hope you can include this in your
website as a tribute to his courage.
Bro. Alex McGregor (PM / Secretary) Lodge St. Andrew East
Kilbride #524
Bro. Angus Rennie, a retired
policeman was a Master Mason of Lodge Anderson McMillan No. 1552. (Province of
Glasgow), a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a Past Worthy District
Grand Patron of Central District Grand Chapter (Glasgow Area).
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
Pastors 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 am
puzzled by the request" said the Pastor.
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
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 favourite 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 ?'. The best is yet to come."
The Pastors 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 pretty dress 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 symbolised 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 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
might be their time to "keep their fork"
Cherish the time you have,
and the memories you share...being friends with someone is not an
opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Bro. Angus Rennie & wife Margaret
Lastly I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mrs.
Margaret Rennie for her kind permission in allowing use of these photographs.