Written Works
Throughout her life Edith was an avid reader and passionate writer, engaged in both writers’ and book groups through her eighties. She has written stories detailing experiences of her youth in 1930’s West Texas, global travel adventures with her young family in tow, life abroad in 1950’s South Africa, and accounts chronicling personal experiences as a single woman raising a family in the late 1960’s - 70’s during the height of the Women’s Movement. Our hope is that by engaging in her life story, you will be inspired and influenced by this remarkable woman and the timeless gift she has shared. Click here to view a timeline of Edith's life.
A Preface to my Life
The story of Edith’s birth and the harrowing drive to San Angelo during an ice storm.
My Autobiography
From Edith’s birth in 1926 through the summer of 1945
What If? A True Story
Impact of unforeseen and tragic event
My Sweet Childhood Memories - The Experiment Station
Reflects of spending time at The Experiment Station
Childhood Memories of Al
The French family at The Experiment Station
When Summer Ends and School Begins
The Labor Day community picnic
My Friend, Bobo
Kindergarten with my best friend
Autumn, The First Day of School
Starting second grade and sharing summer adventures
The Gift
Christmas as a young child in Sonora
Winter Memories
Blue Northern and a cozy home
I Want to be President
Starting a club with friends
February - My Favorite Month
Reflections on Edith’s childhood birthday
It Happened in May
The unexpected death of her best friend infected by polio
Sonora, Texas, My Childhood Home
A sense of community, thoughts on life in a small West Texas town.
Intimate Glimpses of my Mother
Edith’s mother, age seventy, reminiscing her Colorado childhood, attending college, and moving cross country before settling in Texas in 1918.
Memories of World War ll
Observations of WWII during Edith’s high school and college years
Reflections of Family Thanksgiving and Christmas
Celebrations and cherished family times
Our First Christmas Together and Other Christmas Memories
The nostalgia of Christmas celebrations during the of early years of marriage.
Our First Car
The satisfaction of purchasing their first car, a little yellow Crosley, and the adventures that followed.
The Houston Youth Symphony
Writing for a local magazine, Edith introduces its readers to a new addition to the Houston cultural landscape.
Houston Teenagers and the Little Theatre
Edith writes an informative article about a professionally run local playhouse, expanding on the great opportunities offered to Houston’s youth interested in advancing their acting skills.
Houseboy in Johannesburg
Reflections on household help in 1950’s South Africa.
Mrs. Xuma, An Unforgettable Person
Edith shares the treasured relationship she and Robert establish with an American activist and her South African husband.
Our Backyard Neighbors, Raymond and Marjory Dart
The pleasure of friendship with new neighbors, the influential anthropologist Raymond Dart and family, is expressed in this story.
Where’s The Lavatry? Or I Could Write a Book!
Reflections on life abroad and survival with a young family in tow.
Servants
The joys and pitfalls of setting up housekeeping abroad.
A Sojourn in an Easter Basket
A lesson learned and the meaningful rescue of a tiny baby bird.
Reflections on a Colombian Christmas
Observations of the beautiful Christmas season in Cali, Colombia.
The Paper Rose
Leila’s family traditions and the special gift she leaves for Edith.
Jacques – From my End of the Leash
A true story of the adventures of a black poodle as told to his mistress, Edith.
I Don’t Believe in Santa Clause
The magic of Christmas seen through a child’s eyes.
She is Gone – Edith Stella Knoll Babcock, October 5, 1968
Edith reflects on the heartache of losing her mother.
The Long Journey
Edith’s efforts to care for her elderly and lonely father.
Divorced is Better, Not Really
Juggling the realities of divorce in the 1970’s.
Christmas Blessing
Coming to terms with a love lost and consciously appreciating the blessings that remain in Edith’s life.
The Wearing of the Green
Written with lively humor, this story reveals the unexpected ordeals that ensued after Edith reluctantly accepts the position of assistant Girl Scout leader.
On a Rubber Raft through Santa Elena Canyon
Appreciating the splendor of nature while exploring the Rio Grande River on this family adventure and camping under the brilliant West Texas star-dusted sky.
About Running
Inviting others to share in the joy of running, Edith reveals her newfound passion for running in this encouraging essay.
The Complete Book of Running by James Fixx
James Fixx’s bestselling book which elaborates on both the physical and psychological benefits of running is praised in Edith’s comprehensive and methodical review.
My First Marathon, 1977
The excitement and angst of running her first marathon at age fifty-one.
The Parting
On the eve of her twenty-second birthday, Edith's youngest daughter departs on her own life adventure abroad. In this piece, Edith is torn between the sadness of saying goodbye and the pride in having raised a child with the desire to embrace life's opportunities to the fullest.
I Hiked the Grand Canyon
Edith, a newly single woman and desiring a challenge, embarks on a backpacking trip down the Grand Canyon.
Dynamic Years and Backpacker Magazine
An examination of two magazines that serve to inspire and encourage exploration regardless of one’s age.
When Will I Get it All Done?
Edith’s enthusiasm and appreciation for life and living is apparent in this thread of essays in which she reflects on past travels and experiences, as well as those she dreams to come.
Pinpointing my Place in Paradise
Edith loved the water and took up scuba diving as an adult. In this essay, Edith shares her appreciation for the beauty of experiencing the magical world of life under the sea.
Help! You’re Leaving Me Behind
From typewriter ribbons to computers, the never-ending quest to keep up with technology in a fast-paced world.
The Last Mile
Edith’s reflections on the Women’s Movement written in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the 1977 Women’s Conference held in Houston, Texas.
Opportunities - Carpe Diem
A twist on the vast array of opportunities that fill our lives and the choices we make, whether to take them or not.
Life is a New Beginning – All the Way!
Viewing the glass of life half full rather than half empty, Edith enthusiastically anticipates new beginnings.
Wyoming Winter
An appreciation for nature’s beauty and the stillness of a new snowfall on a winter morning.
1954 November
Newly arrived in South Africa, Edith writes a Christmas letter detailing the family’s adventures and first impressions. After spending the first half of the year in New York City preparing for their voyage, the family departed in June of 1954 with port-of-call in Barcelona, Spain, Marseilles, France, Naples, Italy, Alexandria, Egypt. After a quick detour to Damascus, Syria, the family boarded an airplane for the long flight from Cairo, Egypt to Johannesburg, South Africa refueling in Khartoum, Sudan, Nairobi, Kenya and Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia. Edith devotes much of her ten-page Christmas letter to share observations of Johannesburg, adjusting to their new homelife, racial issues, and experiencing camp at The Kruger National Park.
1955 June 27
In this letter to her parents, Edith sets the scene as she types on the sunny patio encircled by Jan (age 4), Peggy (age 2), two dogs and a cat. Typing away, Edith describes the family’s recent trip to Rhodesia that included staying at The Victoria Falls Hotel, hiking along the edge of Falls, boating on the Zambezi River, viewing abundant wildlife, Matopo Hills and trekking to a Bushman cave.
1955 June 29
A letter to Deanie (Josephine Kokernot), Robert’s aunt (RLK’s sister), thanking her for gifts and describing the family’s travels to Rhodesia in a fashion different than that which Edith wrote in a letter two days prior to her own parents. Edith shares news of their home in Johannesburg and the friendship they have established with their backyard neighbors, the Raymond Dart family. In conclusion, Edith congratulates Deanie on her recent marriage to Willis McCutcheon.
1956 March
Edith’s husband, Robert (Bob), shares a detailed itinerary of the family’s upcoming travels back to the United States in which, among other destinations, they will visit Edith’s parents, Orville and Edith Babcock. They plan a voyage by ship from Cape Town via Rio de Janeiro and Panama, then on to Mexico City and Houston before eventually arriving in Sonora, Texas, Edith’s hometown. After a month’s visit, the family will travel to Chico, California to spend time with Robert’s mother and her husband Ray White.
1956 June
Edith writes this letter shortly after returning from their three and a half months abroad to the United States. She entertainingly shares experiences of traveling with two youngsters as the Kokernot family journeys eastward across the United States from Chico, California (with a stopover in San Francisco), then on to Winnipeg, Greenland, and Copenhagen. Edith concludes this letter with a notation that she will save details about “travels around Denmark and the trip to Rome for the next installment.” So much to tell!
1959 November 20
In a letter to her mother and father, Edith reveals her concerns for her aging parents. Orville has been in and out of hospital and Edith is aware of the difficulties and exhaustion that can result for both her mother and father. She shares news of the children, playtime, birthday parties, dance, and piano lessons. Also, Edith comments on updates from home that she received in a previous letter from her mother. With holidays approaching, Edith sends her love and good wishes to all.
1959 December
Edith’s letter marks the family’s fifth Christmas in Johannesburg. She comments that after five years, they have settled into the South African lifestyle. A favorite destination remains Kruger Park and the myriad of adventures that come with game viewing. Edith recounts their most recent trip to the United States (November 1958), and the joy she experienced traveling back to South Africa with her parents. This was Orville and Edith’s first airplane ride, and they stayed with the family for six glorious months! The children are growing, and Edith is constantly in motion rearing her three young children which now includes a son, Walter. She reflects on raising children outside of the United States, both the pluses and minuses. Robert continues to thrive in his position with the Rockefeller Foundation (“…he eats, sleeps and breathes viruses…”). His work takes him to faraway and difficult to reach destinations throughout Southern Africa, occasionally requiring him to be gone from home for months at a time. Edith concludes the letter with mention that the family will remain in South Africa until November 1960, but she is not sure where in the world they will be next Christmas. Stay tuned!
1960 August 10
Robert writes this brief note to the Babcock’s on official BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) paper in flight from Nairobi. It is their first trip on a jet. Walter is so excited, but apparently so is his father! Robert shares details of the Kokernot’s recent visit to Zanzibar with its beautiful beaches, clove trees, cinnamon trees, and the children’s delight for fresh coconut milk, drinking it with a straw inserted directly into the hard shell.
1960 December
After seven years abroad, the family is celebrating their first Thanksgiving and Christmas in the United States. Arriving in September, they are settled in Baltimore, Maryland until June 1961. Robert is back at Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health thriving with his academic research. Edith remarks on the many differences she observes living stateside. One of which is central heating, a welcome addition in the freezing winter. The entire family is amazed with television, having not had it in South Africa. Edith comments with excitement that she has “waited years to watch Lost Horizon with Ronald Coleman.” They also watched the Kennedy/Nixon Presidential debate, staying up until the wee hours anxiously awaiting the results on election night. Edith shares the news that “we are expecting our fourth little ‘nut’ early in 1961.” Edith concludes her letter mentioning that the family will pack the car in June to take their postponed leave (vacation), visiting family and friends in the United States. After that, she expresses uncertainty as to where their next post with The Rockefeller Foundation will be.
1961 September 9
The Kokernot family arrived in Cali, Colombia! They left San Francisco on a Pan American jet, followed by a layover in Guatemala City. The next Pan American jet took them to Panama City. The family stays at the Panama Hilton, enjoying the luxurious pool and cool mountain air. Edith is enthralled by the Panama Canal and gives a vivid and fact filled account of the experience. Upon reaching Cali, Edith shares her impressions of the city and difficulties associated with finding a suitable home. They have just signed a lease and are looking forward to settling into their new residence once their furniture arrives off the cargo ship! Although Edith has only toured the home once, she offers a detailed description and seems quite thrilled with the find. Jan and Peggy enrolled in school, and all four children have acquired an understanding of Spanish, albeit through immersion!
1962 December
Feliz Navidad! Edith writes her Christmas letter after sixteen months of living in Colombia. The children are near fluent in Spanish, Bob has brushed up on his language skills, and Edith is grasping a better understanding outside of common household terms. The family has grown used to Latin living, the narrow streets, wild taxi drivers and keeping the front door always locked. Edith traveled solo in February to Texas to celebrate her parents’ 50thwedding anniversary. The family, along with Ethel Moss Nail (Robert’s aunt), took a trip to Cartagena in June. In typical glowing detail, Edith describes the fort built in 1533, the old part of the city and spending time leisurely sunning and swimming in the surf. Leaving the children behind, Edith and Robert took a short break that summer to explore Bogota. She also describes travels required by Robert’s work, including his jungle field station on the Rio Raposo located south of Buenaventura. The area gets 400 inches of rain annually! Finally, Edith shares characteristics and celebrations of a traditional Colombian Christmas (Burning of the Candles, the Sugar Festival, fireworks, and Casetas erected for dancing, eating and merrymaking).
1963 December
This Christmas letter is written from Illinois. After ten years with the Rockefeller Foundation, Robert resigned in September and took a position with the University of Illinois as assistant director for the Center for Zoonoses Research (study of diseases common to both man and animal). They returned to the States by ship via the Panama Canal before docking in New York City. They spent a few weeks visiting family and friends in Baltimore, Houston, Sonora, Alpine, El Paso, and Los Angeles. Jacques, the family’s dear little poodle, partook in all these travels. Edith writes about the adventure Jacques had at Disneyland when he briefly escaped from his caretaker. The family is building a house on a small lake (Lake Park) which they hope to move into early in the new year. All are looking forward to ice skating and swimming. Diana is the only child at home, as the others are off to school (grades 8, 5 and 1). Edith is happy with all the cultural activities offered at the University, including conversational Spanish.
1964 December
Edith’s Christmas letter is short and sweet. She shares news of events leading up to and including the move into their new home at 14 Lake Park. All the children enjoyed swimming in the lake over the summer and now skating on the ice. The family has appreciated getting to know various international faculty and students that are drawn to the University. Jacques, the black poodle from Colombia, became a father to five puppies. One of his offspring, Mimi, a silver poodle, has joined the family.
Tea and Chocolate Cake
The Dream
A dark look into hopelessness with a fleeting moment of real joy before the end.
Clair
An unfinished story of a little girl living an idyllic life.
Miracle Wasted
A poem recalling a momentary chance that slipped away after a fleeting glance and how it could have altered life's path.
Lost Moment
A first draft of Miracle Wasted with a similar theme.
The Affair
Faced with the challenges of reentering the workforce as a newly single woman in the early 1970's, sexual harassment was common and sometimes difficult to simply walk away from.
How it Happened
The Rose Petal Rosary
It is the holiday season and Susan has her eye on the perfect gift for her mother. Making a small downpayment, the shopkeeper offers to hold the item for Susan until she can muster the additional funds. A lesson learned in this touching story of the love a young daughter has for her mother.
A Bottle of Orange Soda and Two Paper Cups
Based on a true story of two lonely residents finding one another in a nursing home and how a simple act can bring them such happiness.
Fish for Supper
The Servant Girl
From the First Love Letter
The bottom dresser drawer was full of love letters, delicately tied with lace and ribbon for twenty-five years. Now the marriage between Tara and Jim was barely held together by a thread. Jim's letters bring to surface painful memories of what their lives together were supposed to be.