For many, spring cleaning is a time to hit the reset button, but it can also uncover unexpected things. This month Good News Wants to Know... What is the most surprising thing you've ever found while spring cleaning or packing to move? We recently moved after thirty years in our previous home. So of course, so many items brought back wonderful memories as we packed them up. But one thing that stands out to me regarding spring cleaning is that the term comes from the tradition of cleaning the house before Passover. This is a thorough cleaning that many Jewish families traditionally do right before Passover. As part of making the kitchen kosher for Passover, they tend to "seize the moment" (which usually lasts days) and clean the entire house, basement and all, while throwing out junk and tidying up cabinet drawers. The purpose was to symbolically remove leaven from the home. Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College We haven't moved and don't plan to, so the most surprising thing I recall finding was my trumpet in the attic. That resulted in memories from a long time ago. William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott PA Just last weekend we started cleaning out some closets in preparation for home renovations and just to get organized. I found a London Fog overcoat that I got in 1986 when I arrived in Boston to go to college at Boston University. It brought back memories because my grandfather bought it for me, and he has long since passed. It also has a fur liner that I can’t imagine would ever be used in sunny South Florida. Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District We’ve moved a good bit over the years from my time in the US Secret Service, but one uncovered a box of letters frommy grandmother, who passed away several years ago. I had forgotten about them. They were written to me while I was in Officer Candidate School with the Marine Corps. What a treasured find as it reminded me of the prayers and great love she had for her grandson. I can’t wait to see her again. Chris Simpson, President, CBMC International Going through some drawers in a desk and in my dresser, I found two Swiss wrist watches that my parents had given me in high school, one a winder and one a self-winder. I had worn neither of them in more than 50 years, but both still work perfectly without even having to take them to a jeweler for cleaning. Now I get to wear them when I want some variety in a time piece. The Swiss make great watches! H. Collins Forman, Jr. PA We’ve moved several times, and one of the most surprising we continue to discover is how much stuff we’ve accumulated. It never ceases to amaze us that no matter how much downsizing, selling and giving away we do, other stuff finds its way in. Craig Huston, Huston Consulting Group, LLC While cleaning out the attic in my parent's home, I lifted a box of old silverware that seemed especially heavy. Digging deeper into the box, I discovered my parents’ missing gold coins that we figured a housekeeper or handyman had found before any of the family could. It became a surprise legacy gift for their grandchildren. Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship The most surprising thing I’ve ever found while cleaning out my grandfather’s belongings was a family tree from my dad’s side of our family. The numerous accounts of my family and their origins was a blessing in several ways. Being able to share the history with my children has been invaluable. Dennis DeMarois, Executive Director/CEO, Gathering Palm Beach County A couple years ago I was going through one of my mom's boxes of keepsakes and found a love letter my father wrote to my mom. It was so sweet. I also found my great-grandfather's Sunday School book. I treasure them both. Dolores King-St. George, President, King Communications and GraceNet Radio Recently we were going through my parents’ belongings left behind after they passed. I found a booklet that one of my mom’s distant cousins created years ago featuring photos and bios of numerous members of my mom’s family tree. Many of these people I had not heard of before. It was eye-opening to see their photographs and learn about relatives I had never heard of before! Karen Granger, Director of Community Relations, 4KIDS Palm Beach Spring cleaning and decluttering does the heart good! I found a letter my husband gave me forty-one years ago!! It was more priceless than diamonds, chocolate or roses!! Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty On a house move 10 years ago, I committed to going thru every box we moved the last time we changed houses and had not touched in the interim. I discovered a wallet I thought I had lost in 1979! Still had 13 bucks in it. James ‘JT’ Taylor, Managing Director, Automotive Retail, Truist Securities H. Collins Forman Craig Huston Deborah Cusick William “Bill” C. Davel Chip LaMarca Chris C. Simpson Wants to Know… - Dr. Mary Drabik -
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