Happy Mother's Day

Since this is Mother's Day weekend, I dedicate this blog to a person who has not received a lot of public recognition from me, and that person is my mom. So I hope do not mess up!

For those who do not know me, or my family, my mother is Jane Landry. In Greene County, that means one half of the hit catering business J-Lin Catering. While her food has become the talk of the Wabash Valley, Jane means so much more to me than just the business lady. I would like to tell you why she has had a great influence over me and the way I live my life.

Religion has always been a factor in my family's life. We went to church every Sunday morning, and as my brothers married, it became just me and Mom consistently going to church. Her insistence of this helped me become a better person, and I saw how that made her proud.

My schoolwork was a top priority for my mother. She did not accept satisfactory work but pushed me to reach my full potential. She was the first (and last) to say if I did an acceptable job in my studies or not. While the teacher may have thought my work sufficed, my mom was the judge and jury on that issue and if it was not up to par, I heard about it. Because of her pushing me to fulfill my potential, I always ask if something is adequate. I always seek another opinion because I want to reach my full potential. "Failure is not an option"has become my mantra because of my mother and I think that really makes her proud.

My political intuition derived from my mother. It was from her work and religious conviction that beget the Democrat in me and my family. We are hard working, blue collar people who do what we can to get by. Nothing more and certainly nothing less. Furthermore when reading the Bible, we saw Jesus' love for people and how He sought change through changing the (political and religious) system, which led our belief that "ground -- up" politics is the best way, as opposed to "top -- down."

The greatest thing, and most aspect of my mom that is taken for granted by me and my brothers, is that she is a great friend. If I ever needed someone to talk to, vent to, and cry on my mother has always been there for me. As a friend, she questions things I do. She does not do that to be ornery, but rather to make sure it is what I want to do. I have numerous examples of that throughout my life.

So Mom, I want to thank you for always being there and being my biggest (and sometimes my only) fan. Without your support, it is unsure that I could do anything. You have been the backbone of our family and the modeled leader that deserves more recognition than what is currently given. Mom, I love you, and appreciate you in all that you do.

Hopefully everyone feels this way about your mother. I am just blessed enough to publicly acknowledge mine. Thanks for reading.

Till Next Time