Tears for a lost Hero
September 20th 2006 06:05
Well, Miss Toddler and I had every intention of hanging out all of the three loads of washing we’d already done by 9am today.
But then we were sidetracked by the memorial service for Steve Irwin, and we stopped in our tracks.
We watched the service, and, what can I say? I cried. Cried and cried, for the loss of such a man. Yes, with Miss Toddler there.
There will be a lot of people out there, my family and friends included, who will be outraged or upset that I allowed her to see me cry. But how could I not? The world has lost a hero, one who worked very hard for the animals, for conservation, for Australia. We lost a great person, and I’m grieving for him, for his family and friends. I make no apologies for crying.
Miss Toddler watched the service in fascination, at all the crocodiles (she particularly liked the crocs and elephants!) and at all the singing. And, of course, when Blue Wiggle came on, you couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.
For me, the death of The Crocodile Hunter has really affected me. From the moment I heard the news (thank you, Husband, for breaking it to me), I went into a depression. For a couple of days, I was very, very sad, and, on top of that, feeling like some kind of freak, cause I didn’t even know the guy! All I know of him is from what I’ve seen…
And that’s enough for me to grieve. To mourn the loss of him. His death has affected me like no other celebrity or public death ever has before.
Perhaps because he was such an Australian icon. He was invincible. Hilarious. Strong. And he did such good for our wildlife, our homeland. He touched all of our hearts.
And his beautiful daughter, Bindi…she is the pin-up child for strength and resilience, I think. My heart just broke all over again at the speech she gave, and the inner strength and even defiance that came out of her. Natural defiance, that she was probably not even aware of, that yes, she loved her daddy above all else, but she will go. She will be strong, for her mother, her baby brother. And she will live up to her father’s name.
If you ask me, she already has. She is a little hero, or heroine (if this was a romance book; something I know well!), already. She will help her mother grieve, and her brother. They will continue Steve Irwin’s dream.
And I’m sure I’ll be touched and cry at many more instances, while the Irwin family put their lives back together. While, over the years, they continue Steve’s dream, and his wildlife park.
I want Miss Toddler to grow up with emotions, to see life, to experience feelings and know what they are. To not be ashamed of them, or of her mother, for crying.
I think today, as we farewell such a wonderful man, father, husband, friend, and best mate to the crocs – all animals, actually – allowances can be made for a weepy mother.
I’m sure there’s plenty more out there on this day.
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