April Moga Newsletter
Monthly Musings, Reimagining All the Things, and Final Thoughts on Spring
Happy Spring, Moga friends! Last time we connected we were still in the throes of winter, and now, in just a few short weeks, it’s officially spring! Trees have visible buds, daffodils are sprouting from the earth, and the world feels like it’s waking up again. I’ve lived in New England for 42 years, and yet each season continues to leave me with moments of awe. Whether it’s the first sound of peepers behind my house, the anticipation of the first hummingbird arrival, or the quiet magic of watching my garden come back to life, there’s always something to notice and appreciate.
I think it’s easy to think of spring as a season of re- words. Rebirth. Renewal. Re-leaf! But lately, another re- word has ben on my mind: reimagine. Warmer days and brighter evenings have me reimagining all the things that have been dormant or covered up during the winter months—shifting my warm, cozy dinner recipes to a lighter fare, considering evening walks now that the light lingers longer, and deciding on what to plant in my garden this year. Now that everything has been unearthed after these past few months, it feels like we’re seeing the world around us with fresh eyes.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my garden. Now, I’m no green thumb, but I learn a little more each season, figuring out what veggies thrive in our small space and dreaming of expanding to make room for flowers to cut and share. It’s hard to know where to start when you’re still learning and don’t have much experience, which is why I get so excited when the latest edition of Magnolia Journal magazine shows up in my mailbox. If you know me, you know about my obsession with Joanna Gaines. It’s hard to talk about reimagining or inspiration without thinking about her and her work. My love for all things Joanna is no secret—when I was a classroom teacher, one of my students even wrote about it in her end-of-the-year goodbye card!
Joanna Gaines and her magazine have inspired me in so many ways—helping me reimagine new ideas for making my home feel more inviting, giving me practical tips for my garden (her home garden is impressive—though I have to remind myself that she has way more help (and resources!) than I do!), and offering reflections on how to grow as a person (and mom) in each season. In fact, her magazine is one of the inspirations for this very newsletter!
In this season’s Magnolia Journal edition, her theme was all about balance—another idea that’s been sitting with me a lot lately. In this edition, Joanna redefines balance: “…I’m redefining what balance means to me. I’m not looking for the gratification that comes with my ability to hold everything in my life and hope that nothing drops. Instead, I’m seeking harmony among all that I’m carrying. I’m giving myself permission to actually let some things drop if it means I get to hold other things even closer. That might look like not saying yes to everything but saying yes to only a few very good things.”
I feel I’m in the midst of reimagining a lot right now, literally, like where I’m going to plant my mint this year (that damn herb is so invasive!) and subtly, like reimagining what it means to parent older kids and a young adult. A few weeks ago we took a road trip down to North Carolina to visit our eldest. You should know that I don’t travel well. I’ll just say it. I’m a homebody, and leaving my comfort zone is really hard. But I also know that with Cameron in the military and moving every few months (until he finally settles somewhere TBD), traveling is going to be a big part of this next chapter (or as one of my friends said recently “next book—this is way bigger than a chapter!”). So, I tried to reimagine a different possibility—a road trip where I stayed present, took it all in, and really tried to enjoy the journey. And while I think I get better at this with each trip, I’m definitely still learning.
On this trip, not only was I contending with my own challenges of being away from home and the logistics of traveling (try organizing doggie care for three Great Danes), I was also struggling with the emotional toll of Cameron’s new journey. While our travel days were longer than our actual time spent with Cam, we knew that he needed a little piece of home to lift his spirits. This training phase is hard. They sleep an average of 3 hours a night and most days, especially when they’re in the field, they eat MREs instead of actual food. A prolonged lack of sleep is going to make everything harder, but as a mom it was hard to hear about. Thankfully we stayed in a lovely Airbnb in a quiet fishing village so we spent most of our time fishing on the docks, or in Cameron’s case, sleeping. I shed a bunch of tears after we dropped him off, thinking about what a transition we’re in. For 19 years, one of my primary roles was keeping him safe, happy, and well. And now, I can’t do that in the same way. I’m learning to allow all those hard realizations to exist alongside the reality that while this transition is hard, I’ve successfully co-raised a child to adulthood. And adulting is hard (as we all know).
So, this spring let’s give ourselves permission to reimagine all the things. What would it look like to create a new gardening space? What if we said yes only to a few very good things, even if that means saying no to things that we do enjoy but maybe not in that moment? For me, what does parenting look like when I’m not in charge anymore?I once read a quote in the ladies’ room at my old school (I know, weird, but stick with me): You can have it all, just not all at once. These words have been on my mind as I reimagine the possibilities for the season, the obvious ones and the more subtle.
As we step into this season of growth, I invite you to join me in reimagining what it all looks like—giving ourselves permission to let some things go so we can hold onto what matters most. Happy April!
Love Letter From Nature
Lately, I’ve been walking to work more, listening to podcasts along the way, and I stumbled upon this one featuring one of my favorite meditation teachers—and local guy—Jon Kabat-Zinn. I’m only halfway through, but already I’m reminded why I love his teachings so much. He has this way of making mindfulness feel completely intertwined with real life, and everything he says seems to resonate so deeply, especially when he talks about meditation being an opportunity to truly wake up.
In the first few months of what I now call my sabbatical from teaching (in which I never returned), I felt this awakening in such a profound way. I never really noticed the world around me before. Yes, I’d register the changing leaves or a bright summer day, but the little things? Not so much. On one of my sabbatical walks, I saw a leaf, like really saw it. Suddenly, everything around me felt more alive, as if I had been looking at everything around me for the first time. And listen, if someone had told me this back then, I would have rolled my eyes and thought, Okay, weirdo.
For years, I tried meditating, but it never “worked.” But after stepping away from the constant hum of doing and practiced being, something shifted. Maybe it was the time off, maybe it was my nervous system finally recalibrating, or maybe it was just the right moment—but when I started sitting with no agenda other than being, my perception changed. I woke up. From a deep, deep sleep. From a modern-day, society-induced stupor.
And that’s why, on our latest trip, I probably would have walked right by this literal love letter from nature—a tree so perfectly shaped. But I didn’t miss it this time. And what a sweet gift!
Kid Moga
We all know fear. To be human means to know fear. (Heck, to be a living creature means to know fear—just ask my dog, Duke!) Even as an adult, going somewhere new or trying something new always induces a bit of fear. And don’t get my started on parenting teenagers—that’s a whole new level of fearfulness!
Now imagine what it’s like to be a kid. Growing up is one big series of firsts. Going to school, learning a new sport, staying home alone, biking into town. The list goes on and on. For many kids, especially in our digital age, anxiety and fear are at an all-time high. The reasons are complex. Maybe it’s the state of the world (kids are so perceptive), their constant access to media, or the heightened stress levels of the adults around them. Whatever it is, young people look to us—their caretakers, teachers, and mentors—to help them navigate fear and co-regulate their growing nervous systems.
As someone who has lived much of her life filled with fear, I’ve been on my own fear-finding expedition. Instead of running from fear, I’ve tried (sometimes successfully, sometimes not) to get curious about it. As a parent, I’ve tried to be mindful about not letting my own fears shape my kids’ experiences and to help them explore a different, more empowering relationship with fear.
Recently, I listened to a Jay Shetty podcast episode, 6 Refreshing Ways to Cope With Anxiety and Stop Fear From Stopping You. I’ve read and listened to a lot about fear and anxiety, but this one stood out. One of the most powerful takeaways was the idea of sitting with fear long enough to truly understand what we’re actually afraid of. Often, our initial fear is just the surface layer, there’s something deeper beneath it, but it often takes patience and curiosity to uncover.
Of course, fear doesn’t feel good, so we instinctively try to push it away. And as parents, we want to protect our kids from anything that could harm them, both physically or emotionally. But sometimes, the real work is leaning in and asking questions: What do I really fear? And what can I learn about myself and the world by exploring it?
Maybe the real shift isn’t in eliminating fear but in changing how we respond to it. Instead of seeing it as something to overcome, what if we saw it as a teacher, a guide, even a gift? What if we taught our kids (and ourselves) that fear isn’t the enemy—it’s an invitation to pay attention, to grow, and to reimagine what’s possible?
Here are some questions you can use to help your kids (or yourself!) explore fear:
What are you actually afraid of? (encourages curiosity)
Can you think of a time you did something even though it was scary? What helped you get through it? (reinforces resilience and past successes)
Is there another way to look at this situation? (builds flexibility and positive reframing)
What’s the best-case scenario? (shifts focus to positive possibilities)
For more on this topic, consider listening to this NPR story about helping kids reframe anxiety and lean in to their superpowers.
Recommendations from a Mindful Library
I’ll admit—it’s been a slow reading month for me. I had big plans to dive into a stack of books over break, but with the beautiful weather, I found myself out and about more than expected. That said, I do have a few books to share.
G’s fifth-grade class recently held a March Madness Reading Challenge, where students pitched books to their classmates in hopes of advancing to the next round. G chose The First State of Being (which I highlighted last month), while one of his best friends picked House Arrest by K.A. Holt. G’s book lost out, but his friend made such a compelling case for House Arrest that G immediately wanted to read it next—and I decided to revisit it, too.
House Arrest was a favorite among my sixth graders back in my classroom days. It’s a novel in verse, which makes it a great choice for readers who like fast-paced, visually stimulating reads. For reluctant readers or solely graphic novel readers, verse novels can be the “gateway drug” to prose and other poetry, as described here. House Arrest follows Timothy, a boy placed on house arrest for making a bad decision—but one that stemmed from love and desperation. Through his court-mandated journal entries, readers get an intimate look at his struggles, humor, and hope. It’s a heartfelt, gripping read that resonates with so many kids.
My scattered brain is juggling a lot of books right now, but one I recently finished was The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson. This book isn’t your typical self-help guide—it’s blunt and sometimes even laugh-out-loud funny. Manson challenges the idea that we need to be constantly striving for happiness and instead argues that we should be more intentional about what truly deserves our time, energy, and, well… f*cks. One of the ideas that stuck with me is: “Who you are is defined by what you’re willing to struggle for.” It’s a reminder that life isn’t about avoiding discomfort—it’s about choosing the struggles that align with what truly matters to you.
If you’re looking for a self-help book that’s equal parts no-nonsense wisdom and tough love, this one’s worth the read.
This is an oldie but a goodie—one I read years ago and covered in dog-ears and notes. But it took on a whole new meaning for me when, after we lost our beloved dog, D started sharing some fears and questions about death. I wasn’t sure if he’d grasp all the concepts in Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm by Thich Nhat Hanh, but I shared it with him anyway. To my surprise, he devoured it and recently asked to read it again.
If you’re unfamiliar with Thich Nhat Hanh’s work, he was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, and mindfulness teacher whose gentle and profound wisdom has helped millions navigate fear, anxiety, and suffering. In this book, he explores how fear—whether of loss, uncertainty, or even our own emotions—controls us more than we realize. With practical mindfulness techniques and compassionate insight, he teaches us how to sit with fear rather than be ruled by it.
Final Thoughts…
As spring settles in, I'm making the shift from rinks to fields. G decided to try lacrosse this year, and to my surprise, he’s absolutely loving it. D, on the other hand, is diving into rugby, and after attending his first game, I may need to revisit that podcast on fear to get through these matches—oh my, they are intense! But what an amazing sense of community and camaraderie in that sport. After every match, the teams gather together for pizza, a tradition that carries all the way up to the professional level (though I imagine the pizza might be swapped out for beer at that stage!). There’s also a chance that Cameron might come home after he graduates on 4/24, which would be such a welcome surprise. In the meantime, I’ll keep encouraging him with a weekly countdown (only 3 more Sundays left!).
Between lacrosse and rugby games, I’m hoping to carve out time in my garden now that the weather is warming up. I’m looking forward to adding a few new touches to my yard, including a new hummingbird feeder. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend it—the sight of a hummingbird is nothing short of magical. I also discovered ranunculus flowers in Magnolia Journal, and I’m excited to plant them for a cut flower garden. If you have any other suggestions for cut flowers, please share them!
My neighbors down the street have a garden that’s a backyard oasis, another source of inspiration for me and my garden dreams. Sipping coffee and nibbling on a baked good in their backyard feels like being transported into a Snow White movie, where every detail is lush and enchanting. I’ll be leaning on their example of creativity and care as I work on my own space this spring.
As we embrace the possibilities of this season, let’s be spending time dreaming and imagining all the new ways we can create and nurture—whether in our gardens, with family, or in the spaces that bring us joy. Here's to reimagining what’s possible, filling our lives with growth, connection, and all the beauty spring has to offer.
Sending Love,
Leonor
Leonor is a licensed ELA teacher, Director of the Hammett Ory Library at The Fenn School, and Moga (Mindfulness + Yoga) Practitioner. She is also the mother of three boys and has learned a whole lot from making mistakes and trying again.