Steve Irwin (1962 - 2006)
You knew him, I knew him, the children knew him, the Apes, the Elephants and the Crocs knew him. What a Pity, the Sting Ray didn't!
Why This Late Piece?:Had just been done watching a repeat telecast of the Memorial Service for Steve Irwin dated 20 Sep 06, held at the Australian Zoo, and, aired by ..of course, his favourite Animal Planet.
The eyes are moist, the heart is heavy and words fail - not just mine, but of every person who seemed to watch the event, live or later.
Has any man, in such a short stay amongst us, of just 44 years, touched so many children's hearts?Has anyone cared so much for Animals, and, proclaimed as much, striving to realize his beliefs and his dreams.. making, in the process, millions all over the world Sit Up, Take Notice and Act - in their own little ways for the betterment of the Wild, the Wilderness and Conservation?
An actor, a singer, the father, the daughter,the gamekeepers, the Prime Minister... everyone who had seen the ruddy face and the naughty grin, and heard the hearty cry of 'Crikey',and heaved one or more sighs as he dared the boldest dares.... all looked on as one, unmoving and silent, as his former driver-cum-aide loaded all the usual wares onto the back of the Oh-So-Familiar khaki truck and moved away. Moved away, to a guard of honour of tough men, gamekeepers and aides all, those who had never winced when lashed at, but now with tear-lined eyes, bidding adieu to the Warrior who gave us Crocs and Crikey. Bowed heads, weeping hearts, silent words, sniffled wishes and prayers accompanied the Great on his journey Out and Up, from Down Under.
The little daughet came up on stage - no fright, no hiccup, no tear, just boldness and cheer which her dead dad had bequeathed her in ample measure.
"He taught me a lot, he taught me everything. He was there whenever I needed him - for me, my mom and my little brother, for the elephants and the crocs. He loved them all as he loved us. He was the Best Dad in the whole world. Thank You."
.... Applause, tears, more applause....a sense of something invaluable gone amiss, never to be found again, ever.
Yes, Thank You, Steve Irwin. You got even a non-regular Animal Watcher like this one infatuated with all you stood for and dared, as you did to millions of others.
Thank you, Steve, for you did all your life what you loved to do, and, got loved doing just that - by man, child and beast. To top it all, you died doing what you loved and the world loved you for.
How many little childrencan say the words your daughter did, about their fathers?....
Steve, You Changed Our World, and the World of Our Children. We will all, for sure, miss you and your Crikey.
The animals aren't showing it, but rest assured that even they are struggling to hold back the tears erupting from the large, wild hearts you touched and loved.
And, for once, when words seemed meaningless, the only ones which seemed to do were the ones that rent the air ....as the truck moved out, as the flowers formed the letters CRIKEY on the grassy lawn....
The Crocodiles Are Cryin'.... and so are the men, women and children. You shall be missed.
Adios Amigo, Steve .... You Were The One...
If Only the Sting Ray too knew It ....
NB:Felt like writing this Obituary piece in the absence of any after JK'sreview on 11 Sep, and especially, none after the Service on 20 Sep.
Forgive my emotional tinge, but then, if you had seen it (even on TV),you would understand the sentiment, irrespective of whether you werepreviously glued to Croc Hunter or not!
