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Monday, September 04, 2006

Steve Irwin

By now all of you must have read about the sudden death of Steve Irwin while filming at the Great Barrier Reef off Australia.

My girls loved to watch his antics. He had an obvious love for his work and a way of making people smile even while they may have been shuddering. He was, to me, a symbol of Australia and he'll be missed.

To my Australian friends, I'm so sorry this happened.

I told my girls about it early this morning before they heard it anyplace else. I said to them what I've said on other blogs.

It was a freak accident, there is no need to fear the water, we shouldn't criticize him for his life choices even though they might not be ours, and there are far worse things than dying while doing something you love.

Our hearts go out to his wife, children, and family.

24 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

Yeah, it's shocking and too young, but he did it his way, and I think he lived a pretty full life.

Anonymous said...

I feel terrible for his family. I hope he didn't suffer.

But if you've gotta go, you may as well go doing something you love.

jw said...

Ann, well stated. We will all miss Steve Irwin.

Susie said...

You're right, it was just a freak accident. So sad for the wife and children to lose him at the prime of his life...

Jo said...

That was well said, Ann. However, I do think he made a mistake by putting his one-month old newborn son in harm's way a couple of years ago, when he was feeding a crocodile with one hand and holding his son a foot and a half away with the other hand. That crocodile could have made a meal of that little boy with one gulp. "Oh, yum. Live dinner." I lost a lot of respect for Irwin after that.

Anyway, God rest his soul.

Josie

Kendra Lynn said...

I was so sad to hear of his death! He was an incredible man. I pray for his wife and children.

Kendra

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

I loved the antics of Steve Irwin...He made everything so exciting to watch. There wasn't a dull bone in his body. There will always be people who will critize him, but we have no right unless we have never made any mistakes of our own. He lived and died doing what he loved to do. God bless his family and my condolences go out to each and every one of them. We will miss him.

Jo said...

Well, yes, I agree he was a very colorful character and very entertaining. My grandchildren did learn a lot from him as well. But unfortunately he did take risks, and perhaps that cost him. I feel very, very bad for his family and my condolences go out to him and to his co-workers. I hope his death was very quick and painless. I would hate to think that he suffered. It's really a shock.

mreddie said...

After I heard it my thoughts and heart went out to his wife and two young children and that they will not have him to teach many life lessons - so sad. ec

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Thanks Ann. It is such a sad thing to happen ... he was too young. But, as you said, at least if it had to happen, it happened whilst he was doing something he loved. The world has lost a wonderful, talented, brilliant person .... I feel terribly sad for his family.
Take care, Meow

Anonymous said...

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http://merle-3rdtimelucky.blogspot.com/

If you cut and paste this link into an open blog page it should work fine

*Tanyetta* said...

As you know, this kind of story hits too close to home. A father chose a career that clearly affected his entire family.

I am truly sad for his 8 year old daughter and 3 year old son. I will absolutely die if darrin never returned home.

You are so right Granny, there's no need to criticize the man for the life he chose.

Oh my goodness, I don't even want to think of the pain his family is experiencing at this very moment.

Dem Soldier said...

First time I heard, I was like....

He must have been killed by a crocodile. Not even close.

I really enjoyed watching him in Leno and other shows...RIP.

Gina said...

Yes, he defnitely seemed like a man who was living his passion. I'm sure he and his family knew that he was slightly at more risk than your average office worker.

Although, you know, you can on your way to work in the car, so there is just no telling.

Rest in peace.

Sarah Elaine said...

It is a loss, that is for sure.

Bacchus said...

I read this right before going to bed last night. I couldn't believe it. It reminded me of the night Princess Diana died. I was up packing to go to a funeral when it was broadcast. You have to read it twice just to make sure.

He was far too young to go and left behind a loving family, but I agree with Granny. What better way to go than doing something you love?

Anonymous said...

I heard about it as soon as I woke up this morning. Its awful! Steve was really a neat man. He will be greatly missed.

Atasha said...

OH my goodness, Ann I hadn't heard about this. I was such a fan of Crocodile Hunter. No one loved those animals as much as he did. I am shocked. I am going to read up on this. I can't believe it.

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Ann,

I too posted this sad news on my own blog. It's such a shock because he is so young(one year younger then myself), and he has young children that now have no father. So sad. His wife and children are in my prayers.

At least he went out doing what he loved most in the world, and from what I'm hearing he died in no pain. I am greatful for that at least.

Janice~

Val said...

Tanyetta said exactly what has been going through my mind the last 24 hours, about the pain his family is going through.

No matter how strong his wife is, she's going to need to call on every last ounce to get her and her children through this horrible time. It's unthinkable.

DA said...

I watched him together with my son in bed every sunday morning. He tought us a lot. We will miss his humor. May he find some crocks in heaven or r.i.p.

Unknown said...

DA, I like your idea. He is probably in his own special heaven that is filled with all kinds of animals. I think Australia is responding the way the world responded to Princess Diana.

I loved the Crocodile Hunter. I remember when he started. He & Terri were driving along the dingo fence in Australia talking about different animals that lived in the Outback.

I loved watching him. I learned so much about animals from him. I was always terrified of snakes & other reptiles until I started watching him. I learned that you are more likely to get bit by a mammal. Because of him, I was able to stay at my cousin's house with all her son's snakes & lizards without freaking out.

He also had a good influence on my cousins' children. They were never afraid of your garden variety bugs, lizards & snakes. One of them even has a huge collection of beetles and other insects. He used to say he wanted to be a "Crocodile Hunter" or work for Steve Irwin when he grew up. If kids are interested in stuff like this, maybe they won't get into trouble with stuff like gangs, vandalism, etc.

Anyway, I digress, but I do love Crocodile Hunter & feel terrible for his family & friends. I will miss him.

Kristen said...

This was so sad, and so STRANGE! I still can't believe it. I actually used to watch his shows, even in college, and I can't believe he's dead. I'm also very sad for his wife and kids.

Andie D. said...

Well put Ann.

My son heard me utter an "Oh no!" when I got on the computer and read about the accident. I was honest with him about Steve's death. Although he was a little upset (so was I frankly), I made sure to stop and talk to him about it whenever he brought it up. Ben's only 4, but I want to make sure that I'm open and honest. Hoping he'll feel comfortable enough to be the same way with me.