Sandra Petersen, an 81-year-old Australian woman living on the island of Tasmania, has a meaningful life filled with teaching and harvesting fresh organic produce from her vibrant garden. Her philosophy of “believing that God will turn everything into good” has been the cornerstone of her existence, despite enduring heartbreak, turmoil, and abuse.
Forty-six years ago, Petersen and her children were driving from Queensland when a truck carrying sand crashed directly into their driver’s side door. She was thrown out of the car, landing 100 meters away unconscious with severe head injuries, internal bleeding, and potential spinal damage. Despite the lack of proper resources in the hospital at the time, Petersen’s determination to survive pushed her through the difficult recovery process.
Unfortunately, her husband’s response to the accident and resulting injuries was filled with blame and violence rather than support. The car crash had damaged Petersen’s central fissure in the brain, affecting her body control and speech abilities.
It took eight years for Petersen to receive a correct diagnosis and treatment for her spinal injuries. This allowed her to refocus her eyes and start the journey of physical therapy, speech therapy, memory training, and brain injury rehabilitation to regain normalcy in her life.
Tragedy struck again in 1997 when Petersen’s son, Michael Williams, was involved in a fatal accident while swimming on Stradbroke Island. The loss of her son led Petersen to seek solace in volunteering as an educator at Marshall Road School, helping children learn to read and process their emotions.
Overcoming the pain of losing her son and the challenges of her own disabilities, Petersen graduated with honors from Brisbane’s Griffith University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education, along with certificates in advanced professional development and linguistics.
Escaping from her abusive marriage and focusing on raising her children, Petersen embarked on a new journey by moving to Launceston, Tasmania. Despite facing falls and heart problems, her neighbors have shown incredible kindness in caring for her pets and checking up on her in times of need.
Now, as a relief teacher at a public school, Petersen has no plans to retire at 81, continuing to share her knowledge and passion for teaching with the younger generation. She finds peace and purpose in her island life in Tasmania, where she relies on a diet based on homegrown produce to maintain her health.
Reflecting on her life, Petersen emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, letting go of self-pity, and learning to forgive oneself for falling short of expectations. Throughout her struggles, her faith in God has been tested but ultimately strengthened as she sees every evil occurrence turn into a precious learning experience.
For Petersen, the adversities she faced have transformed into opportunities to cultivate genuine empathy, respond to others’ pain with understanding, and unite in prayer. Despite the challenges, she remains grateful for the miracles she has witnessed in her own life and the lives of those around her, staying true to her belief that God can turn any situation into a blessing.