A tribute to the boy who never grew up...

... as he once described himself to Denton!
And perhaps that is why so many Australians have been rocked by the death of Steve Irwin earlier this week.

He had PASSION, and excitement for his life...the animal kingdom... and his family.
And he was proud of it.
Not affraid of it.

When I lived in Italy... The Crocodile Hunter ... was shown there.
Steve Irwin dubbed in Italian... tho you could still hear the cricky in the background.
The three boys I cared for, thought Steve was hilarious... they loved him.
I'll admit to being embarrassed.
Was this Aussie bloke really our ambassador... did people across the globe really see us like this loud embarrasing guy??
I just didnt GET it, or him.... or what exactly he was about.
Until I saw this interview with Denton in 2003 and realised how very wrong I was.
BTW... click the link and you can watch or hear the interview too... and if you can listen to it without crying.. you are a stronger person than I ! He is fabulous.

Denton asked Steve about Aussies being embarrassed by him, he responded with this: I'm very embarrassing to look at. You know why? Here is why I'm embarrassing. There's a little bit of me in everybody. I'm like the boy who never grew up. I'm very, very passionate about what I do. I mean, I love what I do. I'm so - I wake up in the morning on fire and people are like, "God, give this guy a valium or something. Can't he have a bad day", and I'm not. I'm not. I guess people, especially Australians, they are so, "Yeah, yeah, Stevo, whatever." Australians are like that. They're very "Yeah, yeah, take it or leave it, whatever. He's too hypo. The bloke is on fire." I guess that little bit of me in everybody kind of must be embarrassing.

Plus there is this interview with his wife Terri and son Bob from 2004 (after the dangling Bob over a croc incident). A great read too.

Steve loved his family, his parents, his wife, his children.... passionately.
His LIFE ... passionately.
THIS WAS A PASSIONATE AUSSIE BLOKE - not afraid to SCREAM IT TO THE MOUNTAINS.

I sat there with tears streaming down my cheeks, and snot pouring out of my nose... honouring this man.
And wishing we were ALL just a bit more ALIKE him.
I got it.

Leonie described him as a Yang man... and that he was. Her favourite memory is such a sweet one. Take a look.

I write this today... to tribute this Aussie Legend Steve Irwin.
A man honoured and remembered by all Aussies.
The thoughts of his wife (Terri) and children (Bindi and Bob) are in all our minds and hearts during this time.

EDIT (1429hrs Tuesday 12 September 2006): Adding this poem Kyle just emailed me... gorgeous:

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

Bek ~Aussie Chick~ & PROUD fan of Steve Irwin xxx

EDIT: I just found out that Brockie died today... two Aussie icons in one week... its just a bit much frankly!