Steve Irwin

I have to confess I don't watch many documentaries or wildlife shows (I probably should, there is some great stuff out there.) And I have to confess that I probably have not seen many of Steve Irwin's shows. When I first heard the sad news on Chris Nystrom's blog, I was not sure who this person was. Almost every website I visit has mourned the loss of this extraordinary individual.

As Christians, we know that life is fragile, that death can come at any time. But as humans, we live as though we will live forever. When death takes someone young like Steve, our first thought is that he was robbed of time here on earth. I can't help but think of his family and the young children left fatherless. Being older (and wiser - yeah, right . . . ) I wonder at the foolishness of the risks he took. And yet, he has left such a legacy for his children. He has fostered the love of nature, a sense of adventure, and a loving spirit. Many people who have lived long lives have not experienced even a quarter of what Steve did in his short life. He used his time on earth fully, not only living exhiliarated in God's creation, but sharing that exhiliaration with the rest of the globe.

It is so easy to live a mundane existence, living from paycheck to paycheck, carefully saving for a future that may be cut short. It is easy to fall in a rut driving to and from work only seeing the cars and people around us. While I fret about money issues, I find myself grateful that while my adventures don't come anywhere close to Steve's, we have had opportunity to go out in the RV and have our own adventures. Many of Steve's obituaries talk about how he lived life to the fullest, dying doing what he loved best. I believe that God wants us to enjoy his magnificent creation. People like Steve help all of us experience and appreciate the wonders of our world. In memory of Steve, go out and have an adventure of your own!

I found this posted at one of the websites and thought it worth sharing.


THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING

Endless visions fill my head – this man – as large as life
And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife
Because the way I see Steve Irwin – just put everything aside
It comes back to his family – it comes back to his pride

His animals inclusive – Crikey – light the place with love!
Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above
The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch
Living out his dream and in that classic ‘Stevo’ crouch

Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek
It’s one thing to be honoured as a champion unique
It’s one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved
It’s another to be taken in and genuinely loved

But that was where he had it right – I guess he always knew
From his fathers’ modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo
We cringed at times and shook our heads – but true to natures call
There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all

Yes the more I care to think of it – the more he had it right
If you’re going to make a difference – make it big and make it bright!
Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes - he went head first!
But he made the world feel happy with his energetic burst

A world so large and loyal that it’s hard to comprehend
I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end
To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration
May the spotlight shine forever on his dream for conservation

…My daughter broke the news to me – my six year old in tears
It was like she’d just turned old enough to show her honest fears
I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying
His little girl explained it best…she said “The crocodiles are crying”

Their best mate’s up in heaven now – the crocs up there are smiling!
And as sure as flowers, poems and cards and memories are piling
As sure as we’ll continue with the trademarks of his spiel
Of all the tributes worthy – he was rough…but he was real

As sure as ‘Crikey!’ fills the sky
I think we’ll miss ya Steve…goodbye

RUPERT McCALL 2006

Books by Rupert McCall