Welcome to My World: A Journey of Survival, Rebirth, and Beautiful Chaos

29 May

Written By Sandi

Hi there, and welcome! I am so incredibly glad you stumbled across my corner of the internet.

If you’re new here, you might see a woman who smiles easily, loves deeply, and lives gratefully. But like any good story, the chapters that brought me to today are filled with plot twists, steep climbs, and a whole lot of survival.

I wanted to use this post to open the book on a snippet of my life and share a bit of how I became the woman I am today.

The Heart of My World: Family

First things first: my greatest titles in life are Mum, Nan and Wife. To say my house and my heart have been full would be an understatement.

The Kids: I am blessed with eight incredible children—three boys and three girls (birthed) and 2 more boys joining the Family in 2021. They are my rocks and the reason I never gave up, even when things got heavy.
The Grandbabies: I am already a proud grandmother to three beautiful little girls, and the blessing is multiplying—we have another grandbaby on the way! There is nothing quite like watching your children become parents, and I am soaking up every single second of this grandmother era.

Turning the Page on the Hard Chapters

Life hasn't always been a walk in the park. For 14 years, I walked through the heavy, exhausting reality of domestic violence. We separated in 2011, however, this didn’t stop the abuse. It’s a chapter of my life that was defined by fear, but it’s also the chapter that taught me just how strong I truly am. In 2016, I officially closed that door and got a divorce. Stepping into the unknown was terrifying, but it was the first day of the rest of my life.

Rebuilding from scratch meant reinventing myself—and my resume! I’ve been through many career changes over the years, constantly adapting, learning new skills, and proving to myself that I could survive and thrive independently.

But through all the chaos and transition, there was one constant that kept me grounded: basketball.

My foundational career in basketball administration and coaching became my sanctuary. When my personal life felt like a court full of chaotic plays and unpredictable defense, stepping onto the hardwood offered clarity. Coaching taught me how to look at a broken strategy, pivot, and draw up a new game plan on the fly. Running the administrative side of the sport forced me to stay organized, disciplined, and focused on the bigger picture, even when I felt like crumbling inside.

Every practice I ran, every game I managed, and every player I mentored reminded me of who I was outside of my trauma. It wasn't just a job; it was the anchor that kept me focused on thriving. The courts taught me resilience long before I realized how much I’d need it in the real world.

Today, I look back at that journey not with regret, but with an immense sense of pride. I took the ultimate pivot, stepped up to the free-throw line of my own life, and reclaimed my independence.

Health challenges

In 2016, life handed me another opponent I hadn't prepared for: I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my right ankle. Almost overnight, the sport that had been my sanctuary was stripped away. I could no longer physically play or referee basketball—the very game that had helped me navigate my darkest life challenges. Watching from the sidelines of a court where I used to run the show was a devastating pill to swallow. To make matters more challenging, that wear and tear slowly progressed, and it has now settled into my left ankle as well.

Just as I was finding my footing—pun absolutely intended—and finally adjusting to the reality of chronic pain management, life decided to throw another curveball.

In September 2024, I faced a massive, terrifying health scare. Out of nowhere, my heart decided to race to its own chaotic rhythm during a major SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) attack. That terrifying episode led to heart surgery in January 2025, and during the aftermath, I was subsequently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Lying in that hospital bed was a sobering, frightening moment. But looking back, it wasn’t just a medical emergency—it was the ultimate wake-up call. For years, I had been in survival mode, running on fumes and trying to take care of everyone else while ignoring the warning lights flashing on my own dashboard.

This diagnosis forced me to slow down, prioritize my own well-being, and finally accept a fundamental truth: I couldn't pour from an empty cup, and I couldn't take care of anyone else if I didn't take care of myself first. It became a profound catalyst for healing, forcing me to mend not just my physical body, but my emotional health too.

A New Beginning

They say that after the storm comes the rainbow, and for me, that rainbow began to arch over my life in 2021. It came in the form of a man who had actually been a constant thread in my life since our teenage years. Fate has a funny way of circling back when the timing is finally right—and honestly, what is more romantic than that?

After years of growing, healing, and finding myself, we got married in 2024. I finally found a wonderful partner who loves, honors, and respects me for exactly who I am, without conditions.

Standing in a room surrounded by all our loved ones, looking at him, wasn't just about celebrating love. It was a celebration of redemption, profound healing, and a beautiful future I once didn't think was even possible for me. It was proof that no matter how long the winter, spring always finds a way to return.

"The roller coaster of my life has given me plenty of sharp turns, but I’ve realized that rebuilding isn't a one-time event—it’s a beautiful, ongoing journey."

Why I’m Here

I’m sharing all of this because I know what it feels like to be in the trenches. I know what it’s like to feel trapped, to worry about your health, to juggle a massive family, and to wonder if you’ll ever find peace.

I want this blog to be a space where we talk about it all—the joy of grandparenthood, the chaos of big families, navigating health journeys, and the beautiful, messy process of starting over.

Thank you for being here and for being part of my next chapter.

I'd love to get to know you, too! Drop a comment below and tell me: where are you joining me from, and what is one thing you’ve overcome that you’re proud of?