"I want to fight until the day I am no longer able. Fight for what? For the world, for life, for happiness, for fresh air, for songs, for the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea."
-Jacques Cousteau
Ever since I can remember I loved Jacques Cousteau. I was always so fascinated with his ocean explorations as a kid. His study of sharks is what really got me to love him, though. (You may remember the mention of my shark obsession in my WIPster interview.) He really worked so hard to destroy the fearsome man-eating image most people envisioned when they thought of sharks. He taught people to see them for how amazing they truly are, and respect them. He reminded that in a world without sharks, humans would not survive. He did all of this in his amazing lifetime and that is just barely the tip of the iceberg of all his work.
"We must not only defend sharks because they are useful and beautiful, but we must protect the sea that feeds them. And also restore the balance of the great ocean's ecosystem, of which sharks form an important link and on which we ultimately depend."
Requins, Innocents sauvages, J-Y Cousteau et Yves Paccalet, Ed. Robert Laffont 1997.
Even though he has left this earth he will forever have my admiration. So you can imagine my excitement when I found the Cousteau Society headquarters *almost* in my neighborhood. I kid you not, it's literally a 7 1/2 minute drive. I am so happy I discovered this before we moved! The girls and I drove there on Tuesday. They had a tiny museum filled with some of the most amazing things. The girls were not as excited as I was, although K really liked the mechanical shark. If only we lived here while they were older...
Life size mechanical great white shark
I could have spent hours in that tiny museum but they let me have about 45 minutes. I think we reached a good compromise! (That is one of the keys to parenting, wouldn't you say?) I learned so much about his life and his amazing family. I look forward to the day when I can share my love and gratitude for Jacques Cousteau with my girls, and have them fully understand. Until then I can continue telling them stories of his expeditions and teaching them to respect and care for our oceans and planet. I think that's what he would want us all to do.
From the Calypso
Underwater camera from the late 1970s
6 comments:
I think it's important to share our interests with our kids, even if it never interests them. I'm glad you found, and were able to visit, that museum before you head west. I'll bet it was fascinating. :) That camera is too cool!
What a fabulous family outing, I am jealous! I love Jacques and his life mission and that museum looks right up my alley! And your pictures are great too!
oh my darling..i do understand your love. i grew up on jacques and always had such a facination with his work.
and for your information, you are only 4 degrees of separation from his association. there's you, then me, then jason, then J.C. Jr. who jason worked with in hawaii and designed a children's camp with on a secluded part of the island we lived on. ;) jason worked with him for almost a year on this project and while they spent time on the beach, he never got to go out in the ocean with him..:( but j said he was wonderful and so much like his father..:) j is, of course, part fish having grown up in the pacific ocean, sailing and surfing, until we moved to texas 5 years ago...crazy huh?
anyway, lovely post...just lovely..:)
love you and the kids!
Joy- I am so happy we were able to go before we moved,too. Isn't that camera crazy? On the cardnext to it, it mentioned that there was no viewfinder,the diver had to just know where the lens was aimed! :O
Boatbaby- Thanks! You guys are in VA, too right? You could always sail over to see it, it's right on the water ;)
Cat- Wow! Thats really special. Can I get Jason to tell me stories and just stand in awe? All of Jacques family is amazing, I love that they are carrying on his legacy.
Miss you!!! <3 <3
what a treasure to find so close to you! i'm dying to see your shark tattoo now. :)
I will admit I am one of those who has an unnecessary fear of sharks...but I don't let it keep me from getting in the ocean.
Last year I saw the documentary, Shark Water, and thought it was awesome. If you haven't seen it yet, I'm sure you would love it (though it is saddening and maddening all at the same time!)
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