Hmmmm...

You'll be missed Steve-o

OK, so I've said before that I don't have anything really interesting to discuss in my blog, but today I do.

If you don't like animals and didn't like Steve Irwin (The Croc Hunter), then stop reading now.

I couldn't believe when I heard that he had died. My husband and daughter and I were camping this weekend and ironically did our own version of a Croc Hunter episode when we found an incredibly rare newt at our campsite and remarked how it was 'Such a beauty' and 'Crickey, we were lucky to see one of these things in person.' (Yeah, we're a goofy family.) So we get home from the trip and my husband logs in and reads about Steve.

Now, I wasn't around for JFK and Princess Di's death saddened me, but this one hit me hard. As far as a person who has had a real relevance in my life (other than friends or family) Steve Irwin was it. After watching his show and seeing his family be born (literally on the TV) it was like losing a member of the family. My husband and I both cried. My daughter is too young to have seen much of Steve's show, but last night as we watched some repeats, even she was captivated by him.

We've always loved animals and were addicted to The Croc Hunter show and all of it's spinoff's. For Steve to die is a huge loss, not only to wildlife, but to humanity. I mean, here is a guy that actually 'got it' as far as animals and their place in the world, and opened up an entirely new world to generations of kids and adults...and he's gone. For me, the hardest part is seeing him on TV and seeing as how that man would NEVER sit still, he was always so energetic and full of life, and now he's gone. I'm still in shock really. And say what you will, but the man actually did something with his life...something amazing, he had a gift and used it for good.

I can't imagine what his wife Terri and their two kids Bindi and Bob must be going through, but if nothing else, they can know that their husband and dad was one of the greatest, most loved public figures ever. I'm sure they will carry on his legacy in a way that will make him proud. My wishes and hopes and deepest sympathy goes out to them.

And since every other memorial site for Steve seems to be crashed right now, I'll just say here that Steve, you were and always will be one of my heroes. You lived an enviable life. Good on ya, mate. Love you Steve-o.