A Mother’s Legacy
by Alexandra
April 30th, 2007
As many of you know, our father died when we were little, too young to really remember him. But, thanks to my mother, he was present in our lives all the same and the stories of our parent’s adventures together are the inspiration behind all that we do today. If it weren’t for my mother, who embodies the living memories that guide our sense of purpose, we would certainly not be where we are today.
Too often, my mother is overlooked as the real reason we have been able to accomplish so much. All the focus is on our father and our grandfather, because they are so well known to the general public. Although their accomplishments are extraordinary and rightly celebrated by millions of people around the world, I know they would want us to honor my mother by recognizing the strength of her love for my father and her courage in overcoming the devastating loss of his death by keeping the legacy of his life present in ours. Her stories, which she shared yesterday in a speech at the Sea and Space Symposium in Dominica, are the bedtime stories that Philippe and I grew up with. They are an extraordinary glimpse into adventures that were unique to their time and will never be again. They are the stories of a group of intrepid explorers that brought the water planet into focus for the whole world to see. Their travels around the world were infused with excitement, humor, tragedy and discovery. And my mother was an integral part of those expeditions.
April 30th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Jan is an inspiration to us all.She has a heart of a lion,the skin of a rhino, and the soul of an angel. Take for sharing this with us, Alexandra.
April 30th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
What a great speech! The things she`s done in her life, I could only dream about. Very lucky!
April 30th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Your mother is such an inspiring and amazing person! She is so strong, and obviously has so much love in her heart! Her words in this speach are absolutely moving! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us!
May 1st, 2007 at 6:05 pm
What a speech ! Very inspiring. I have to say she is very strong to have continued the Cousteau
legend, while raising two children. And we all know that she did a great job because Alexandra and Philippe inspire us now.
I have to say though I don’t know how hard it is to lose a father so young, or not know him, but my dad passed away when I was 17, and responsabilities fell on my head like a rock. Though the situation is not the same, I had to take care of my disabled mother and my younger brother. So I understand in a way, I guess.
As for to learn the French language =D My parents understand quite much how hard it could have been. My mom was 31 when we moved from Florida to France and she had to learn it as she adapted to the country (not like me who learned it at age 5 - and graduated a French High School). But I bet now she is good at it, just as much as Philippe and you, Alexandra, are. You guys must speak it fluently, I presume.
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:43 pm
The apples certainly didn’t fall far from the tree in your family! God has given your family a special gift, a deep sense of love and devotion. Whether you know it or not, but by taking these gifts (passed from JYC to Philippe, Sr to Jan, etc.) and multiplying them to other people, your family has served a very special purpose and fulfilled a parable. Jan is a very special person and a WONDERFUL mother and sets an example for me to follow because I’m a single mother myself. Thank you very much for influencing my life to take action.
March 29th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Thank you for a really nice about sharing
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:00 pm
She must have been a wonderful mother. You are very lucky to have her. Count your blessings, Alexandrea.