A favorite item on Top of my childhood dresser was _____________________

How many things did you have on your dresser, was there a dish for coins, did you have a piggy bank, was a comb or brush on your dresser, did you have a mirror above your dresser, did you stick photos in your mirror’s frame? Activity Idea: arrange some pictures from a magazine around a mirror and see what is inspired.

Perched on Top of our refrigerator was ___________________________

What do you recall was the most used item in your kitchen, what was usually in your refrigerator, did your freezer open on the top or bottom, what was kept in the cabinet right next to your fridge, what color was your fridge. Activity Idea: Make a list of favorite refrigerated items. 

My favorite thing to wear on Top of my head was ________________________

What color was the most loved item that you wore on top of your head, did you have a favorite barrette, scarf or hat?  Where were the hats and gloves kept in your house?  Did your mother or father wear anything on their head?  Who took you shopping for clothes, what was your favorite store? Activity Idea: Try on several head coverings and look in the mirror, stories may abound

MIMA Reflection…

Remember special times where you think and reflect

Wrap up those thoughts that are there to collect.

Top o’ the Morn to you today

Bright sunshine and rainbows are on their way.

Column adapted from the popular book Mothballs In My Attic, a spiral bound publication that includes 12 theme chapters with over 220 questions to stimulate reminiscing and conversation.

Visit www.mimabook.com for ordering information

MIMA  Publications, 173 Maple Avenue, Metuchen, NJ  08840.

By Cindy O’Neill

No better time of the year than February to anticipate the wonderful feeling of Love.  It starts with the unconditional love of your mother and father, your grandmother and grandfather or those adults who took special time raising you and making you feel special.  Remember the childhood valentines of friendship exchanged in school and the box of valentine’s cards you bought at the five and dime store, there was always a special card in there for your teacher too!  Who can forget the feelings of having a crush on someone, writing his or her name all over your notebook and trying to catch a glimpse in the school hallway. The love you shared with the pets as you remember their names and feel them around you.  Love is there throughout your whole life – from a baby to childhood to the high school crush, the love of your life, the favorite pet love, the friendship love and the love of yourself. 

Remember all the loves of your life. Embrace their warmth and allow the aura of their glow to bathe you in yesteryear.  Your love defines you. 

Let the mothballs refresh your memory, enter your attic and open your trunk. 

See what comes forward with a step back to a day in February…..

Reflect back in February remembering

Valentines Day, Love, Parents and Grandparents               Share some candy hearts

Fill in the blanks with just one word and see how the memories flood back.  Take your time, this is not to be rushed but rather enjoyed.  Remember all the feelings and visual sensations and experience the places your mind travels.

We collected our Valentines Day cards from school in a____________________.

I remember my grandparents showing their love by  _____________________.

The sayings I remember on the little candy hearts were  _____________________.

Sharing a MIMA MOMENT

Sharing your feelings of love makes you feel warm all over

What makes you feel loved?

Mothballs In My Attic (MIMA-mymah) is a monthly column to stimulate reminiscing and memories.  A MIMA Moment is a little snippet that has led us to the place we are today. Journey to the past to trigger thoughts, smells, and visual sensations and watch the activity bring in a flood of memories and conversation. 

The MIMA program includes one lead topic sentence, followed by additional related topics.  MIMA Months can be explored and expanded through various discussion groups, arts and crafts, family visits, dinnertime conversations and incorporated into physical activity. The possibilities are endless. Be Creative, start with your own memories and see what flows for you!

The school classroom I remember was _____________________________

Where did you like to sit in the classroom, recall where the teacher’s desk and chalkboard were located. Did you have windows in your classroom, what did they look out upon. * Make a “first day” bulletin board with a big tree and branches and include everyone’s name on a branch.

The water fountain in my school was located__________________________ 

Recall how the water tasted in school, was it warm, was the fountain low, where was the handle to turn the water on? Recall the halls of your school, can you remember where the principal’s office was, the nurses office, library and lunchroom? * Visit the library and choose a book to read.

 Gym class was best when we  ________________________________

Recall where the gym was in your school, was it also the basketball courts? Did you have to wear a gym suit? What were some of the exercises you remember, jumping jacks? What sports did you enjoy playing indoors and outdoors. Can you recall the name of your gym teacher?

 * Incorporate a few exercises and play music or an exercise video.

MIMA Reflection…

Schooling never ends, learning is a circle of accumulated knowledge.

MIMA MOMENT:

September and School go together Like penny loafers made of leather

Like new friends and new endeavors School day memories last forever