Khaki for the Day
Hope y’all have your khakis on today. Four years ago, Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin died after a stingray barb pierced his chest.
While in San Diego last weekend, I went into my storage unit to get a few necessities and I was greeted by a 3 1/2 foot plastic crocodile. My watch croc. It was the same one I gave LD when he was two. I’ll never forget that Christmas morning when LD saw it. He immediately jumped on it, covering the crocs eyes with his arm and calling his sister, “Terri”, to come grab his shirt and wrap it around the croc’s eyes. He said it all with an Australian accent. At age 2. It was that very same day that he insisted everyone call him Steve. And they did. Mojo, she was always intrigued by animals and eagerly jumped at the chance to help with any animals at every opportunity. She also played along with her little brother’s wild imagination. Most of the time.
When we acted zookeeper for our friend’s turtles, tortoises, snakes, and lizards, it was one of my kids’ most exciting moments. They were keepers and working with herps, just like Steve! Feeding snakes, cleaning cages/tanks, watching turtles hatch — it was all very exciting and special and we did it together as a family. They knew without a doubt that no one else in the neighborhood had a turtle buried in their front yard like we did.
That’s the sort of influence Steve had on our lives. And I will always be grateful that he helped nurture my children’s interest in wildlife, conservation, and natural science. Mostly, I’m grateful that we were able to turn that into meaningful family time.
I wish I had Yeah, I’ll be wearing khaki as a tribute to Steve Irwin. Crikey! Who wouldn’t?
We watch Bindi, the Jungle Girl with Diego and every time they show a clip of him it makes me so sad. Have you ever seen that show? She’s making her daddy proud!
Comment by Jason — 2010/09/04 @ 17:42
I’ve seen a couple episodes. And you’re right, watching the clips of him is a little difficult because you know how much Bindi and Robert are missing him, how much he had left to do in this world. But at the same time, the fact that he and Terri raised such a bright young lady who is so very much at home carrying on wildlife education is really one of Steve’s greatest legacies.
I’m glad you watch the show with Diego. Makes me happy to know there’s another child out there who’s learning about conservation.
Comment by DaGoddess — 2010/09/04 @ 18:39