your not the only one i'm 15 and i cry all the time he really inspired me to be what i could and do the best in life i feel so empty

ME TOO. I'M VERY VERY VERY SAD.WHY THIS KIND OF THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE...........?

I'm so glad other people are sharing the same feelings. Steve's death has affected me on so many different levels. I don't understand why someone so loving, caring and honest would be taken from us so early. I don't understand why someone who was doing such good work for the whole world had to go away. I don't understand why a dad who loved his kids so much was taken from them. There are SO many dads who don't have a connection with their daughters in particular. Yet, here was a dad who truly valued his daughter and loved her and now he's gone. Why?! Why did he have to die when his son was only 2? My son is the same age and his birthday is just a few days after Little Bob's. I can't imagine how hard that is for Terri. Every day I wake up thinking of her and how she had to wake up and remember anew that Steve's gone. It makes me cry just thinking about it. I want to pay tribute to him by living every day "full on" like he did but to be honest, I'm just learning how to do that. Thanks Steve, for everything you taught us...not only about animals but also about life and love!

I'm a 16 year old guy from Holland, and even here many people cried, and i'm very stressed too, but nobody really understands me here, most people don't know him, so they think i'm overdoing it.....
but it really is sad

im 15 it gets to me loads ive had a good cry it makes me sad every time i see a picture but some people make little jokes and it makes me so angry but he will be mist dearly not just from his family but to his fans and friends

I know the hurt will dull, but it doesn't make it any easier. I will keep praying for the Irwin family. Now it's time to start saving for a trip to Australia.

Ed Dowdy
Fithian IL USA

You are not alone. I am a 41 year old physics instructor from Illinois. I am deeply upset over the death of the only hero I have ever had. I have been weeping over his death for a week now and my grief does not seem to be waning. I will always love the man that was Steve Irwin. I am so very sad and angry because of his death. He was the greatest warrior for wildlife conservation that we have ever had, and he was a genuinely kind and gentle human being. I will not let Steve’s memory fade and I will do my part to help continue his work in preserving wildlife.

I feel the same way as all of you. Over this past week, I have been trying to look at life differently. I even had a dream that Steve came to me and told me to live life to the fullest and do everything I can with a passion. I am going to try to remember that every day. He was just such a good person that I think a lot of people could relate to. Also, I think of him as a modern day St. Francis with how he so loved the animals. Just such a good person. God Bless Him for all he did.

Don't be sorry about your grief, because that is what you are feeling. I am a 46 year old wife & mother and our household has been in shock & mourning since my Mom called me the morning it happened. We have been watching Steve since my 18 year old son was a small boy -he always said when he was old enough, he wanted to travel to Austrailia & visit Steve's zoo & study under him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Terri, Bindi, Bob, Steve's father & other family & friends who must be going through a horrible time. A light has gone out in the world with the loss of Steve Irwin. We love you Steve...you inspired us.

I absolutely understand where you are coming from. I am 38 and have loved watching Steve over the years. We got to know Steve and his family so much so that they seem like part of our extended family. I have been in shock and disbelief since the news of Steve's death. He has inspired so many people all across the world. I feel blessed from all the things Steve shared with us. It is my opinion that Steve was one of the true hero's in the world. Try as I may to put words together to express how I feel, no words seem to come close at trying to describe the sadness and great loss that I feel. I am so glad to know that I am not alone feeling this way.

No, your not alone. I may only be 14 years old but I have been glued to the television ever since I kan remeber.. He was a great hero of mine, and I still cant beleve that he's gone.. And I feel likse I didn't aprisiate him enough when he was alive.. ever since he died I cry my selfe to sleep almost every night.. and every time i think of him i get goosebums ( I'm not sure how i write that word) so I'm reel sad but none of my friends accualy understand how u'm feeling.. and I'm gonna greef for a loooong time... and I want people from around the world to see my site I made about him in great greef.. the name of it is

www.piczo.com/memoryofsteveirwin

Pleace visit it and sign my guestbook. I would appreciate it. And other people that visit it can understand how you feel..

From Eline,a BIG Steve Irwin fan from Norway

I was hooked the first time I saw Steve "talk" about a rattler in Arizona back in 1999. I wondered who this excessively energetic guy was, acting like he'd had wayyyy to much coffee. I wondered how this female (possibly a co-worker?) who was with him could put up with his antics! He was out of control! I loved it. Then I found out the female was his wife! That was the reason I saw her watching his antics with a few eyerolls and amusement. She was a hoot as well being exactly the opposite of what he was. My family always thought I was a tad bit weird by enjoying watching Steve Irwin in action. I see I'm not the only one. Steve was like a personal friend. Someone I could relate to with his humour and antics. Someone you knew wasn't a fake or a putton. He was real. His tears were real.

You aren't alone not believing he is really gone. It's been a week, and I'm still crying.
I cannot imagine what his family is going through; his wife, his children, his Father.
My heart tears for their pain.

Steve left us in style though. If he had lived out his life as an old and decrepid croc hunter with lots of tales, we would long have forgotten him and his teachings. For him to leave us this way, we will appreciate what he has tried to teach us and always remember. In this way of dying, he has become Saint Steven the croc hunter.

Love you forever Steve. If sending $$ to Wildlife Warriors is what will continue your legacy.. then count me in for the long haul.

I would like to see everyone join in with a lit candle for a moment of silence for Steve.

What say you all? Has anyone planned this yet or got the ball rolling?
Lets do it! Someone name a day and time

Thank goodness I'm not the only one feeling this way. I'm a 40-year-old mom from Algonquin, IL, USA and I have cried every day since I found out. Almost every thought has revolved around the world's loss and his poor family. Saturday I cried during the entire trip to visit to my extended family 150 miles away. I, too, have been embarrased by this reaction to someone I have never met. But it felt like Steve and Terri invited us into their lives and shared it with us. Just like we invited them into our homes every time we watched them.

Kelly Madsen

I have to agree, it has been a week and I can not stop thinking about Steve. I watched Animal Planet yesterday and taped the shows and cried. I wondered if Murray, Arco, Charlie and the other cros. would know that Steve was no longer around to keep them on their feetand having them work for their food.I do not think that anyone else will ever have the effect on animals that STeve Irwin had- he was truly one of a kind. I read the responses that people are writting in and I start crying all over again. I do not think I have been affected by anyone's death quiet like this- I also can not bear the thought that I will never see a new Croc. Hunter series. I do hope that Animal Planet will continue to run the re-runs. I learned alot from listening to Steve and Terri on their show.I even picked up some of Steve little cute sayings. My thoughts are with Terri, Bindi, Robert and Steve's father.
Steve- the world will miss you and you will never be forgotten.
Debbe from Texas
I really feel like I have lost a best friend and family member.

When sudden deaths pass like Steve's it just makes me realize how much "every day is a gift from God". People pass sometimes and we don't understand why. I don't know if people heard of the pastor in Texas who died in front of his whole congregation a couple of years ago. His name was Kyle Lake and he was electricuted by the mike while baptizing someone. His sermon that morning included how everyone should live there day the best they can for "life is truly a gift". Who would have known he would be taken from them right then in front of their eyes. Like Steve's passing..it was unexplainable. But I know everyday is another gift..and we should all live it the best way we know how. For most people here it will be how Steve influenced us and we will continue his legacy by helping wildlife. Being able to be a part of wildlife is also a gift.

I am sitting here watching Steve on Animal Planet, and I am still in denial that he's gone. My family loves him...for his message about conservation, his amazing energy, and his love for family. My 3 year old does her best Steve Irwin impression by jumping on my husband's back and saying, "I'm taking this big crocodile to a safe place now...come on crocodile." He left a mark on us all.

I, too, am devastated. I was totally unprepared for the surprise/shock of his death and also for how strongly I feel about it. I have been crying for days and very depressed. You don't get better than Steve Irwin and I, too, am confused about why this had to happen. I kept thinking, "why couldn't it go something like: he got stung but pulled the the barb out narrowly escaping death and the tv crew visits him in the hospital where he says, "crikey, that was a close one!" Why did such a genuine, selfless, amazing person have to go? What an incredible person; what an enormous loss for the world. Based on what I read, in the four weeks before his death, he spent quality, intimate time with his father and family studying crocodiles. His father said that he was very peaceful and happy. His death was quick and without prolonged pain or suffering. He was in a beautiful environment doing what he loved to do. I think that if it was his time to go (apparently it was), I think it was a testament to who he was that the Universe allowed him to be with his family like that before he died, to die quickly doing what meant the most to him...his reputation is not tarnished becuase he didn't do anything risky or wrong...the wildlife he so cherished cannot be blamed either and so his message can remain strong. I think that if he had to go, it was the best possible way for him personally and also for his message to remain strong. I hope I am making sense. None of this takes away the pain of him being gone forever though...forever, how can that be? I just don't know how to cope, how to go on knowing that this incredible individual is gone forever. This is what's so hard. He lived my dream and it was good knowing he was out there. I felt safer knowing he was fighting the fight. It's not about me though. It's a loss for the earth, for the animals, for the world, for his family...and, yes, for me and my family too. I am so sad. My heart aches.

Hi, again,

I forgot to write that I share so much of what everyone has written here. I feel so empty too. I can't understand why he had to go. He was such an inspiration. His death has affected me on so many different levels too...I am suddenly awake. I have to do better. He changed everything. He set the bar. God, his poor family. I am so sorry for their loss.

His buddy John S. said it best. He crammed about ten lifetimes into his 44 years.....he sure did a lot of things that man.......he accomplished so much stuff its truly amazing.
thanks you Steve for allowign us to know you and for the whole of your family and the Zoo sharing the last several years with us all these wonderful thing you have all done, and for touching us so deeply with your compassion, love and strength.....we love and miss you...

Don't you guys see? He maybe gone physically but he's still alive in each one of us. Though the "love" has passed, we remain none the less his work. Take care of the crocs and the wildlife, donate/volunteer wherever you can..Steve lives..you just have to look for him in other ways....

I too still have a hard time coming to grips with his death. I never met him personally, wished I had such an opportunity. Yet still he touched my heart in a genuine manner. Watching he and Terri together...their love, tears me up inside. See the pride he has for his children, his wife, his family, friends...mankind, just so incredibly touching. His love of life so real. I have learned so much about animals, he captured my interest from the get go. I loved watching him on Leno, and when he subbed for Regis...lol. Gosh, that man could make me smile from ear to ear!!!!

The eyes are the window to the soul...his were full of passion, love, compassion, truth, and an energy that is truly rare and heaven sent! I cannot even imagine how much his family and extended family at the zoo, and animal planet are suffering. I, that only knew him from afar feels such a deep void, I cannot imagine what those so dear to him feel.

Much love in prayers to all he has touched near or far...you will so sorely be missed ((((Steve)))) you are a true role model to mankind, an ordinary bloke with an extraordinary flare.

Lisa 40 MA USA

It's funny you mentioned the death of Princess Diana, becuase that's the exact example I have used to decribe the way Steve's death has made me feel. The passing of both these incredible people left me shattered. I cried for two days over Steve & still well up when I think of him & his family. It's so much harder when someone so good & full of life is taken from this world too soon. He was like a Superhero. Nothing should have been able to take him down.
Tania, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I am so glad that I am not the only one to have such a hard time coming to terms with his passing. I too cried when Princess Diana died, but this has really hit me hard. My 17 year old daughter refuses to watch any of his programs, or even read any of the articles that I have cut out regarding his passing. I went to the store today for a few items, and when I saw the People magazine about Steve, I checked out...by the time I got back home I had forgotten 3 or 4 items that I had gone to get. I had go so destracted and depressed that I couldn't even remember the reason I was there. Steve introduced us to the Bearded Dragons years ago, and since then we have had 3...Now when I look at them, all I do is cry because were it not for him, I know we would not have them! I am 45 years old and would love to live in Australia so that I could go to the Zoo and pay my respects to the family. I cannot even imagine to know what Terri is going through. I do know that right now she is being strong for her children. Please wherever you all are do not forget about her and the pain she is going through. She will be numb for a year or so, then when family and friends start to trickle off the pain and suffering will really begin. My prayer is that her Zoo family will continue to rally around her for many years to come. God be you Terri, Bendi, Bob and the rest of the family. My prayers will always be with you. I love you as if you were my own family

I am a 44 year old banker and I too have been saddened beyond belief by the death of Steve Irwin. I never met the man, yet I am grieving. For the first several days, I was even a bit ashamed of myself for being completely heartsick for the loss of someone I never even met. The fact is, why shouldn't we be greived over the loss of such a wonderful human being? With all the filthy trash that comes into my home over the cable wires, occasionally I catch a glimpse of someone real, someone who is truly welcome in my home. Steve Irwin was such a man. A loving, sincere, honorable, brave and dedecated man who also supplied many, many belly laughs. (With him, not at him) It has been said that "no man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child." The word "animal" can be used in addition to the word "child" in that saying. Steve Irwin stood as one of the tallest men on the planet in this respect and won the admiration and love of most everyone who saw him, simply by being brave enough to follow his heart and be himself. What a priceless gift and example he has left his children! I write this with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. Some day we will all be able to think of him without the tears each time, eventually it will be the just the smile. Until then we will just have to grieve. This planet lost a good bloke and good blokes are what makes the world go 'round. May God bless the Irwin family and keep them in his loving arms.

From:
North Carolina - USA

I know that I am only one person but maybe I can help. I know that Steve is with his family and his fans. He knows how each and all of us are hurting and missing him. He is with his mother and thoes that have gone before him and they are all having a wonderful reuion. He left us all a wonderful legacy and a Challenge, a challenge to treat all of gods creatures both animal and human with love and kindness. Steve was always "Steve" he was honest he had no pretence and nothing to hide. May we all be blessed to have that wonderful gift. I know that if we all learn to love one another, not only for our good things but also our flaws and we learn to love our earth. I know that we would not had let Steve down, and through our actions he will live on and on. Lets not forget the wonderful example that was Steve Irwin.
And do our part!
and always remember CROC'S RULE!

I live in Australia, am 41 and am still crying every time I see things in the news about it. There's going to be a big public memorial here and I want to take my kids to it- today we joined a fund for saving animals and I'm setting up a monthly donation to the Wildlife Warriors fund. I know I didn't appreciate him enough when he was around and I feel rotten for that, I'm constantly sad for Bindi and Bob- they released an interview this week where he'd said how he would hate for the kids to grow up without their dad and I'm standing in the supermarket just crying. I'm crying now. I keep wishing that I could just wake up and it not be true. I don't understand it and I'm not really trying to, all I know is that it's the worst I've ever, ever felt with a public loss like this.

Terri, I'm sorry that I didn't appreciate Steve enough when he was alive. I'm sorry that your kids have lost their dad and that you have lost an amazing partner who so obviously loved you and the kids more than anything else on the planet. He touched so many lives...

You're certainly not alone. I haven't been able to stop crying since I found out. I'm very sad about this. I've been a huge fan of Steve's for years. I'm also a huge fan of Terri's and my heart just goes out to her and the entire Irwin family. He was such a great example for everyone. His legacy will live on forever.
We love you Steve.

Hello to songburdy1, first off. I'm just 20 miles south of you, and I too am having a tough time.

I feel sad for so many reasons: for his beloved family, each of them for so many reasons. For his dear friends and his colleagues at the zoo. For the animals, both personal friends of his and those of the world.

And for all of us.

I cry every day for him. Not because I think there are people who deserve to die and those who don't. We all die. That's nature, and there is no deserving or not deserving. And I'm not mad at the ray. It was a conjunction of circumstances that no one would ever imagine--and yet they happen. I've already been through that kind of loss, personally.

So I guess what it is that is so hard for me and so many of us is that we sometimes see--oh, so rarely see!--someone whose true innocence and goodness of spirit is just right there in your face. Steve Irwin was not a saint--who is? But there are some folks who are genuine, who wear their hearts on their sleeve, and who have such passion and caring that their impact almost bypasses your brain and goes straight into your soul.

That's what my experience of him was, and that's why I cry a lot and think of him and his dear family and friends every day.

galoux