In this concluding episode, Kathy interviews her husband, Joe Hoolahan, about their 11,000-kilometre, 6-month long journey across Australia to reconnect with the most pivotal figures from her past.
Kathy and Joe talk about the highs and lows of their individual experiences, as well as their shared recognition that, sometimes, issues simply cannot be “fixed.” In such a scenario, it’s often best to simply be emotionally present for another person, particularly during the most difficult and crucial parts of their life.
The couple also discuss the most challenging aspects of this entire process, including Kathy’s struggle to emotionally prepare for each encounter since reactions and responses were quite unpredictable.
In this episode, Kathy expresses gratitude to those in her “invisible village,” most especially to her husband, Joe, for the space he gave her despite her turbulent emotions during this trip.
Quotes
“Intrinsically, a male’s position is to want to fix it, want to take it away. But the reality is that, often, you can’t fix it, and you can’t take it away, because what’s happened has happened.” – Kathy Hoolahan
“So many times, it may sound like the invisible village will always save you or someone’s always gonna be there for you. But it started with you, every time there was a down part in your journey. The real key part of you ever getting back out was it started with you.” – Joe Hoolahan
“Dysfunctionality does not have to be permanent. We don’t have to stay in this cycle of trauma, breeding more trauma. We are never alone. When you really look, there is always one character who is present to hold you in life.” – Kathy Hoolahan
TRANSCRIPTION
I welcome you into the final episode of this season of Raised by an Invisible Village. It seriously has been a monumental 6 months on the road. Revisiting and reliving all those different locations, from my birthplace of Alice Springs, through the centre of the Northern to Darwin at the top. Back down again through Katherine, facing significant trauma to trekking down to the West Coast.
Finally being able to say thank you to some of those characters in my younger formative years of life has been an incredible ride. What an absolute privilege it has been for me to know and feel that to this day almost 4 decades later they are still here in my invisible village.
For those that haven’t had the opportunity to listen to Episode 0, I encourage you into my personal space. It is one hell of a journey from my birth to a young 16 year old, about to become a mother.
I commenced compiling my story together at the beginning of this year. I knew that I had to be ready mentally and emotionally. To go back through dark alley ways that I had fought for a very long time to keep in a box, only to lift the lid was going to require a fair amount of emotional scaffolding.
That one person who has been my absolute foundation of scaffolding is Joe, my husband and partner in life. He has been at every location, at the forefront, loving me unconditionally, incredibly patient hearing the same stories over and over again. This journey was made possible because of him.
In closing out this final chapter I wanted you to meet the man who is my absolute critical character in my invisible village.
Episode Transcription – Not available
I hope you really enjoyed our conversation together.
I know like me, this very special amazing man will give you an insight into how healthy, loving and accepting relationships are possible.
A huge demonstration that dysfunctionality does not have to be permanent. WE don’t have to stay in this cycle of trauma, breeding more trauma. We are never alone, when you look, really look there is always one character who is present to hold in life.
In the New year 2024, I will take you into the next season of this journey of my life. From a single teenager mother, step back in the Jehovah’s Witness world, marriage, escaping domestic violence, divorce and a whole lot more. The formation of my professional career will also unfold in the next season.
But for now, I really want to say thank you for listening and taking this journey with me. I have been gifted with so many amazing comments and messages. A reminder again of how I continue to be raised by an invisible village.
Please enjoy the festive season of 2023. Keep safe, love and hug those that are around you and all those far and wide who form your own invisible village.
All my love Kathy.
Creating a safe and connected space for you and I.