Landry Otterson

Name: Landry Otterson.

Age: 38.

Family: My wonderful husband of 17 years, Bryan; two boys, Garrett, 12, and Wesley, 7. My middle boy, Andrew, would have been 9.

City of residence: We live on a ranch just southeast of Willows.

Occupation: I teach piano at my house during the week. January will be my 20th anniversary of teaching. I also volunteer to teach music in the classrooms at Walden Academy. Helping children develop a strong understanding and love for music is one of the most rewarding things in life.

Hobbies and interests: I have a number of hobbies and interests that depend on the time of year. I do not sit still well. Some include sewing, crochet, baking, gardening, and playing with the new goat kids. Kidding is amazing! Others include goat shows, fairs, and swimming. When I am healed enough, I hope to start riding my horse again.

What are your favorite things about autumn? Autumn is my favorite time of the year. Unfortunately it has been a trying time of year throughout my life, so it comes bittersweet. I love the color changes; the cooler, longer evenings; the smell of harvest; the promise of rain which brings renewal; and most of all, pumpkins! I love pumpkins in any shape, color or size. I love baking with them, too!

What are some of your fondest memories? Going to pumpkin patches when I was little. I still love it as an adult and routinely share that with my boys at Country Pumpkins. There are so many memories but marrying Bryan and having my children are by far the best. Nothing is greater than having a baby ... I will never forget the feeling.

Whom do you most admire and why? My aunt is whom I most admire. She is the strongest woman I have ever known and the most extraordinary. Her capacity for love and compassion are infinite. When I think I am at my wits end, I remember her strength and fortitude and am able to move forward. We should all hope to be like her.

What's something about yourself that your friends might not know? I guess most don't know my history. I grew up in a loving home with older parents and my dad was a World War II surgeon. I showed horses since I was 3, as well as played piano and am the youngest of six siblings.

What is your dream job? My dream job for many years was a horse trainer while being a vet. Can't say that has changed too much, but now you can add raising champion dairy goats to the list. I love to teach! So in all honesty, as long as I am teaching, I am doing my dream job.

What quality in people do you most admire? Honesty and compassion are the most important qualities a person can have. If you have those, the other things fall into place. Compassion for others and putting yourself in their position is huge. If we would stop being selfish and help those around us, regardless of how trivial, life would be so much nicer. Help each other, volunteer, smile as you pass by; it all counts.

What are you thankful for? I am thankful for many things. I am thankful to be alive and healthy; to have my family who love me unconditionally; to live in a country where I have choices; to be raising my children in a community that is based on agriculture and hard work. My children will know where their food comes from and what it takes to grow it. Anything good in life takes hard work and faith. I am thankful I am able to teach and be involved in our school, in 4-H, in my community. I am thankful most of all for my family.

Is there anything you're truly passionate about? I am passionate about our youth. I think sharing my knowledge and experience to teach our youth is invaluable. Teaching music to kids is a gift that cannot have a price. The positive impact on academics, on attention span, on self-worth, on brain development as a whole, is extraordinary. No one can give a better gift than to teach a child.

What is your greatest accomplishment? I live my life to the best of my ability. I try to do the best I can by others and give as much of myself as I can.

Contact Jenn Anderson at 934-6800 or janderson@tcnpress.com.