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As It Was
Helen Noble Thomas was born in Liverpool, England in 1878. Despite being the daughter of a journalist, women had few avenues of education in those days. Girls were often expected merely to land a rich husband, create numerous babies, and host dinner parties.
Helen grew up the “least favored” of three girls, and perhaps this neglect by her mother helped her in a way. She ran wild, going for long walks and being herself. She despaired of ever being
“I was a plain girl, morbidly conscious of intellectual and physical deficiencies. I had often cried bitterly in the thought that no man could ever love me, and that my longing for children would never be satisfied.”
When as a teenager she met up with Edward Thomas, she was drawn to his intellect and compassion. They soon drew together over their love of nature and poetry. She became pregnant, and they married.
Edward Thomas became friends with Robert Frost and Edward’s writings were soon appreciated all over the world. Helen and Edward had three children together. Sadly, Edward died in World War I, in Arras. Helen made it her mission to ensure Edward’s writings and legacy were never forgotten.
In this memoir, Helen talks about her courtship time with Edward – how unique he was and how their moments together forever melded into her soul. This memoir is an ode to the passionate love of youth and the challenges of young adults finding their own way in a turbulent world. It ends with the birth of their first son.
Since the story writes semi-explicitly about their courtship and then the birth of their child, Helen originally wrote this simply under her initials “H. T.”
Helen passed away in 1967.
Helen grew up the “least favored” of three girls, and perhaps this neglect by her mother helped her in a way. She ran wild, going for long walks and being herself. She despaired of ever being
“I was a plain girl, morbidly conscious of intellectual and physical deficiencies. I had often cried bitterly in the thought that no man could ever love me, and that my longing for children would never be satisfied.”
When as a teenager she met up with Edward Thomas, she was drawn to his intellect and compassion. They soon drew together over their love of nature and poetry. She became pregnant, and they married.
Edward Thomas became friends with Robert Frost and Edward’s writings were soon appreciated all over the world. Helen and Edward had three children together. Sadly, Edward died in World War I, in Arras. Helen made it her mission to ensure Edward’s writings and legacy were never forgotten.
In this memoir, Helen talks about her courtship time with Edward – how unique he was and how their moments together forever melded into her soul. This memoir is an ode to the passionate love of youth and the challenges of young adults finding their own way in a turbulent world. It ends with the birth of their first son.
Since the story writes semi-explicitly about their courtship and then the birth of their child, Helen originally wrote this simply under her initials “H. T.”
Helen passed away in 1967.
94 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1926
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