Goodbye Steve Irwin

I could hardly believe my eyes and ears when I watched the evening news last night. Steve Irwin, dead?? Killed by a stingray of all things??? But it couldn't be a joke if it was on Channel 5 news.

And then the shock hit me, the grief. I felt like crying and couldn't stop thinking about the Crocodile Hunter all night. HL and I discussed it, we talked about his family, their Australia Zoo, and how his young son (turning 3 in December) will never have his father to bring him up and teach him with his love of all creatures big and small. He will only be able to hear others tell him how great his father was. Their daughter Bindi Sue is older, 8 (and was once filmed on camera saying, "I'll run this zoo someday"). Read more about his family and how he grew up here.

It seems his demise was caught on video, as he was filming in a coral reef when the stingray he was swimming over attacked him and stung him right in the heart. His poor wife will have to watch the entire thing (evidence for coroner's inquest). Don't even want to imagine what it will be like for her, on top of making arrangements for the funeral, telling the kids, running the zoo etc.

Farewell Steve Irwin. Thank you for making documentaries so much more fun and educational to watch for me and my children. We have enjoyed your jokes, your catchphrases (Crikey!), your sharing of knowledge, and have been infected with your smiles, your sunny disposition, your fearless attitude even though it was all through the TV. And from someone who graduated in Animal Biology, thank you for all your efforts towards wildlife preservation. I will pray for your family, and that you may rest in peace, in the kingdom of our Maker, where no animal will be endangered or treated cruelly. Goodnight.