It's Amazing To Me How Steve Irwin's Death Touched My Life

When I first heard the news that Steve Irwin, of "The Crocodile Hunter" had been killed by a stingray, my first thought was for his family. Then Animal Planet ran a marathon of shows over the weekend, and I've been so surprised at myself at wanting to cry all the time. It's not like I taped every episode of every show he ever did, or even made sure I stayed up late enough to watch it. But when I caught one or more of his episodes, I always enjoyed them. I admired Steve and his wife Terri and family for their contribution to education and conservation. And you know being in the public life means generally you have no private life. Almost everything they did was on camera. I don't know that I could ever be that comfortable having a film crew follow me everywhere----even into the baby delivery room at the hospital. But I am NOT A CRIER! I hate crying. If a movie makes me cry, I will never watch it again (Beaches, anyone? I had a best friend die of Lupus, and that movie hit too close to home, and I cried for three days.)

Now I just hurt for his widow Terri and their children, Bindi and Bob. It is going to be so very hard for her in the next few years trying to adjust to life without him. They just seemed like soul mates, and I doubt there will ever be another person in the lives of people he touched that will ever affect them like he did.

And what is so weird, is that when presidents, other celebrities, friends, our soldiers who have fought and still fight for our freedom – all of whom deserve our prayers – have passed on, I'm not so emotionally affected in such a personal way. So I sure don't understand this mixture of emotions that is making me truly and genuinely sad at the loss of Steve Irwin to this world; but especially to his wife. Of course I watched his memorial service on Animal Planet (fell in love with John Williamson's song "True Blue"); and spent a few hours just crying. I couldn't (can't) believe it.

So then this week, Barbara Walters interviewed Terri Irwin on a special episode of 20/20. This was Terri's first 'talking' public appearance. She attended the memorial service, but was not able to speak in public yet – and who can blame her. Anyway, I was glued to her every word. I was so impressed with her bravado, her resolve, her profession of faith in God, and her promise to pass on these traits to their children, and continue Steve's legacy.  And now, of course, again, I am crying.

There have been Australians who have professed that Steve Irwin was an embarrassment to their country. That everyone else in the world thinks that everyone in Australia is like him, and they don't want to be perceived as a whacko. To those of you who feel the same, I must tell you that you could NOT be more WRONG. Not only did Steve Irwin not emulate Australians, he was like no other in the world, and you could only hope to be as generous. 

If you have a moment, and have faith, please say a prayer for his family, and for all of the lives he touched through his conservation efforts, including the animals at the Australian Zoo. And for Bindi Irwin, that she has a successful children's show, career, and can continue her fathers legacy.