Mornington Peninsula resident Kathleen Frances speaks to Sarah Halfpenny about writing Echidna in a Suitcase, a powerful memoir of resilience, trauma and her unwavering spirit.
What inspired the title of your memoir?
When I started writing this book, a childhood experience kept popping into my head, so this became the title.
Did the process of writing your memoir during lockdown in Victoria serve as a form of therapy for you?
My laptop became my friend during the long lockdowns. A few times I was told a book requires skill, knowledge and great punctuation. Yes, this is true. You also need a story worthy to tell. It’s an emotional investment pouring your every memory or thought out on paper. It takes courage. I had to lean into some honesty, then leave behind any unwanted emotional baggage, making room for new experiences and, after lockdown, lots of travelling. I have travelled to four different states and drove to places I needed to see, then I’m going back to Italy next year.
The book covers your experiences of Catholic institutional life as an infant. How did you navigate the challenges imposed by this environment?
As a baby growing up in an abnormal environment, I had nothing to compare it to, no way to know it was different. Children navigate through innocent eyes. These experiences have a profound impact as an adult, often very unhealthy side effects, with trust issues being No.1. The latest apology will be by the Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allen, at Parliament House in Melbourne to the Forgotten Australians. This is earmarked for 2024.
Tell us about the significance of the ancestral twine mentioned in the book and how it guided you to the man you had been searching for.
My ancestral twine has been a very spiritual experience; I had repeated dreams up until recently of a lady and being in her home. I now realise it was my Italian grandmother. I found the other half of myself, my father. The resemblance is uncanny. My grandson will start school next year learning both English and Italian. We as a family are embracing generations of our lost culture. We are all learning a second language. Cooking and gardening are a big part of this. I have a cooking class with my family; cannoli, pizza dough, passata and Italian sausages. My father and I spend our time talking and laughing. He cannot imagine life without us, and we cannot fathom life without his warmth.
How do nature and family contribute to your joy and optimism?
My garden is my special place. I’m never really alone; I have kept many chickens over 38 years now. Growing flowers is my passion; I try to have something coming up every few weeks. As a teenager I was named The Flower Thief by a funny lady. “I cannot grow a flower with you around!” she would say. This is the title of my next book.
For more information, visit www.kathleenfrances.com.au
Recent Comments