The recent death of The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, has resulted in a huge outpouring of support for his family. Internet chat rooms, blogs, personal websites, and news reports have centered on the fact that this man from Australia seemed to be universally loved. And I think the reasons are deeper and longer than most might realize.
First of all, Irwin was confident and comfortable with himself and his work. He studied his profession with passion and commitment, and it showed in the end-result of everything he did. I know that if I had to pick one guy on the planet to come with me on a journey through one of the earth's most dangerous wildlife locations, I would pick Steve Irwin. I’m sure millions of others would choose the same man.
Secondly, The Crocodile Hunter was in enamored with God’s handiwork. In fact, I have never seen a man so in love with creation. He couldn’t wait to discover a new landscape, a large croc, or even a tiny scorpion. And when he did find what he was searching for, his eyes, his entire personality in fact, celebrated the event with fervor that always seemed genuine. This man didn’t just play to the camera or his audience; he loved doing what he was doing. Many people have told me, concerning a career choice, do something you love. No one exemplified this more than Steve Irwin.
Continuing on down the list, The Crocodile Hunter was a family man – one who always showed his devotion to his wife and children. His wife, Terri, was his companion in every aspect of his life, and his kids meant the world to him. His children, as they grow up, will be able to see hundreds of hours of video that prove what a great family man Steve managed to be throughout his life. They will see a husband who respected his wife’s career, decision-making, and creative input with regard to their professional and personal lives. They will see a great human being, a doting father, and a steadfast husband.
Steve Irwin made learning about the world we live in fun, and I truly believe he knew exactly what he was doing – creating a whole generation of people who saw nature’s most dangerous animals as just a part of the eco-system that was only dangerous when we didn’t understand them or respect them. He wanted an educated populace to experience nature on a higher level, and he spent many long days building his vocabulary concerning the creatures he needed to tell the world about.
People respect teachers who know their topic. But what was most appealing about Steve Irwin was that he always came across as a simple man who was determined to live life on an extraordinary level. People, worldwide, respect and admire such achievement. And people, from all walks of life, respected and admired Steve Irwin. He will be missed, but I doubt he will ever be forgotten.
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