They are strong

I am having trouble processing the dramatic events of this week.

My former high school friend Kath has been released from jail after spending 20 years incarcerated.

That’s pretty freaking massive.

It is beyond me how Kath is so balanced, both about being locked up for so long and about suddenly being free.

She was given just 10 minutes notice that she was being released. Can you imagine how that felt?

There wasn’t even time to pack her meagre belongings, she had to leave them behind in the rush.

I’ve spoken to Kath on the phone over the past few days and she is cheerful and positive and incredibly strong.

She is revelling in the small pleasures we take for granted, such as stirring her tea in a porcelain cup with a metal spoon.

She is remarkable.

Equally remarkable is my friend Tracy, who was the driving force behind making sure Kath’s case wasn’t forgotten. It has virtually been her full time job for many years to fight for her release.

I watched Tracy’s press conference yesterday morning in awe. What an incredible woman!

I do not have even a sliver of her strength and determination.

Messages have been flooding in this week via text, email and social media.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me with your best wishes.

I’ve also received a few requests for interviews or to write about the case. I have said no.

One of my reasons for turning them down is that I have been badly burnt in the past.

I felt hurt and betrayed when I appeared on a podcast with colleagues, who added comments about Kath being guilty after I left the studio.

I also lost my last magazine job when I spoke out about an inaccurate article that had been published about Kath.

So, even though I was once part of the media, I am wary.

I’ve watched with interest as the “baby killer/worst serial killer” headlines have switched to “no amount of compensation will be enough”.

I am disappointed by the people who only started returning our calls when she was free.

And I hope that those who used to gloat over publishing damning stories about Kath feel a glimmer of shame now.

However, what I think doesn’t actually matter because it’s not about me. This is about Kath and also about Tracy’s fight to free her friend.

I am seeing an Erin Brockovich style movie in this!

I am a bit player in their incredible story of courage and hope and resilience and I so happy to see them both triumph over adversity.

Song of the day: Helen Reddy “I am woman”