When I look back on my childhood, I feel the sadness and sorrow that existed in our family. My father was an alcoholic who would be abusive to our mother after consuming too much drink. They had five children in six years. I was the oldest child, followed by three sisters and a baby brother.
Two of my siblings got into drugs. These drugs ended up taking their lives. My baby brother died at age 34. My sister, Donna, the middle child of our family, died at age 45. Just to write down her name brings a downpour of tears.
We had an unhealthy childhood that affected us all. I got married at age 21 and had a son, Christopher. His father and I got divorced nine years later.
But God has given me strength to carry on in this life. By God’s grace, I was able to go to school at Loma Linda School of Dentistry. Even though I had very little confidence that I would or could succeed, I did.
Eight years after my divorce, I met a nice, Christian man. Steve Landon and I have been married for 30 years. We raised five children between the two of us – his two children, my son, and my sister Donna’s two children. By God’s grace, we were able to put all the children in private school.
When I look back, I can see how much God has blessed us.
Although my life had a rough beginning, I can see where God gave me strength and the courage to tackle obstacles that I could have never faced on my own. God was always there for me. Blessings have been bestowed on our family.
God promises, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
Sandi Landon spent 38 years working for Dr. Kunihira, a periodontist. She and her husband, Steve, have six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.