September 4th was probably one of the hardest days of my life. I've never actually truely lost someone in my life, and even though Steve Irwin wasn't a family member or anything, it felt like he was.
When I was about 2 years old in 1992, my parents split, and I was basically fatherless. At the time, I was very interested in animals, and very tomboy-ish. I expecially was interested in reptiles and dinosaurs. I wanted to be a paleontologist. When I was five years old, just a year before my mother got re-married, I discovered Steve Irwin. Anothe rperson who was as passionate about animals as I was! He was amazing, he was inspiring, he was everything I wanted to be.
From that very moment,.. I wanted to become a zoologist... an animal conservationist... and my biggest dream, was tog o help save animals with Steve Irwin. I wanted to meet my hero, and I wanted to work with him. He was almost like a second father to me. He was a great friend, and an inspirational person.
Since then, I've been working very hard to achieve that dream. I'm now 16 years old, and a sophmore in high school. I turned 16 on September 3rd. My exact birth time in 10:55 pm..... I was counting down, but, to my unfortunate dismay.... at exactly 10:55 pm... I found out my hero, Steve Irwin, had died.
I'm nt exactly a religious person. I don't know what goes on in the afterlife, and that's a big fear of mine... not knowing. But, I do believe things happen because of fate.. not coincidence. For whatever reason... there was a reaosn for Steve Irwin's death. It hurts.. but I think that it made a lot of people relize what we need to do to help save endangered wildlife.
What was also odd was that day, on my birthday, I was arguing with my parents, who believed my dreams were unrealistic. I told them, "One day I'm going to meet Steve Irwin.. one day I'm going to meet him, and work with him.. and carry out his dreams!!" I was also saying how I could never imagine anyone dying...... It was a strange kind of fate.
When I found out, I also couldn't stop crying.. It fealt so unreal.. so untrue,... like it shoudln't have happened.. couldn't have happened. I also almost felt like wanting to die. I think my biggest fear at the moment was: I will never get to meet him. I will never get to tell him how much he meant to me. But.. I've been doing alright now, but it still hurts.
I expecially hurt most for his family. Expcially Bindi. I don't know why, but ever since she was born.. I just idolized Bindi. She had so much spunk... I just kept saying how I wished I was her. She's just like her dad, and I hope that she carries out his dreams. After I saw her speech at his memorial, I couldn't help but tear up a little. Yes, we must help her Dad.. help him with his dreams; with Bindi's dreams; with all of our own dreams.
A little note to Bindi: You keep going girl! You're so amazing, and so strong. I can't wait to see where you go, and I hope to go there with you.. like.. your "best mate" or something. It'll take me a little while, but I hope one day I can meet you and help you out. Because, I share you and your father's dream as well. And, the more the merrier I figure!! But you're just so amazing. Your dad would be so proud.. he's probably looking down on you and saying, "that's my girl!" And I promise you.. wherever he is, he's in a better place. And he lives in you too Bindi. You should feel proud. You're an awesome person, and you have an amazing family.. and you have such a strong mother too, Terri.
But one day... my dream is to be there at the Australia Zoo with Bindi. I hope to be there with her, helping to inspire even more generations of people to go and help save animals and wildlife. In every one of us there is a Wildlife Warrior..... but only you can step up and go do soemthing about it. Don't sit there and mourn... it's not what Steve would want. He would want his memory to be carried out in a positive way.. in conserving wildlife!!
Anyways.. I'm sorry to ramble.. but I had to get it out. I hope you all see me out there one day. And I hope you all go out and do soemthing amazing for wilflife as well.
And also.... a song dedication to Steve Irwin. It helped me so much when I was trying to heal myself: "Afterglow" INXS "Here I am, lost in the light of the moon that comes through my window Bathed in blue, the walls of my memory divide the thorns from the roses It's you and the roses
Touch me and I will follow in your afterglow Heal me from all this sorrow As I let you go I will find my way when I see your eyes Now I'm living in your afterglow
Here I am, lost in the ashes of time, but who wants tomorrow? In between the longing to hold you again I'm caught in your shadow, I'm losing control My mind drifts away, we only have today
Touch me and I will follow in your afterglow Heal me from all this sorrow As I let you go I will find my way I will sacrifice 'til the blinding day when I see your eyes Now I'm living in your afterglow
When the veils are gone as I let you go, as I let you go
Touch me and I will follow in your afterglow Heal me from all this sorrow As I let you go I will find my way, I will sacrifice Now I'm living in your afterglow
Bathed in blue, the walls of my memory divide the thorns from the roses It's you who is closest"
My condolences to Steve Iriwn's fmaily and friends. I'm here with you. We're all here with you. We won't stop believing, and we won't stop reacting. And I promise to be over there with you all.. helping out to carry out Steve Irwin's dreams.
Much, Much, Love, Sarah Ashley T. Age: 16, of Tumwater, Washington, USA
Thankyou.. R.I.P Steve Irwin. I miss you so much, but you did so much for me, and I must return the favor.
I know you have big dreams just like your father did!! you look alot like him and I know he would be proud of you!! It was a tragic thing to happen to him and now all we have left of him our memories and keeping his dreams and his zoo and show alive!! But I know from what I believe is that he is still with us through spirit and I know he is and will always be in our hearts!! Steve will never be forgotten and if anyone ever does I will yell at them. Who could ever forget or especially not love a man like Steve, A true wildlife warrior and hero!! He did us a favor by helping us respect every animal and help save them too!! And thats a special gift!! He was and always will be my idiol. I will always remember that man and miss him!!
I understand if you feel almost well.... "He's my father, and noone will miss him as much as I will!" I can completely understand.. because it's true. You, and your family, are the most important things to your father. Noone can ever replace you. And you're so unique and special. Your father is so proud. I know it.
Hey Lion-girl, would you be interested in chatting through email? Two is always better then one. I also have a dream to moving to Australia Zoo and working with Bindi for Animal Conservation. I love Lizards and Snakes, though I love all animals...so that doesn't work. lol And I also have parents that scoff at my dreams. Anyway...
Steve was a wonderful man and we will never forget him.
If you're interested email me: eternal.valkyrie@yahoo.com
It's fun to talk to tohers that share your dream. ^_^
You're dream will go on Steve! Your death won't be in vain!
Sounds awesome mystic_cypress. And you can just call me Sarah.. apparently I made this account long ago when I was about 12 or 13. my email: lillyon@comcast.net
After what happened though, my parents are more encouraging of my dream.... and that's what Steve did... encouraged people to follow their dreams. Maybe someday we'll all work together at the Australia Zoo. That would be nice.
HI there Lion-girl! I know exactly how you feel. As long as I could remember I was trying to save animals. My parents always thought of it as a passing phase! But now (although I am a bit older than you) have wanted to go over there and work at the zoo. I want my kids to be raised as Bindi and Bob. I hope that your dream comes true an you get there! I have looked into living there myself, and one day I know I will. But I thought I would try to help you out. just a little FYI that might help you once you are old enough to go on your own! There is a student visa that you can get and be able to study there. After two years of full time school (college) you can apply for a permeant residency. AND while you are in school you are allowed to work for 20 hours (a week or ever two weeks I think).. Just thought I would help out a fellow tom girl tring to save the animals one animal at a time! What a beautiful message to Bindi!
Lieverd, Thanks for the advice. Yes, I was definently thinking about trying to go to school there, but it costs a lot of money to get to Australia from over here in the US. If that doesn't work out, I was planning to go to WSU (Washington State University), which has one of the best Vet Schools on the West Coast... in the Country, actually! It would be easier, cheaper, and in-state, and over the summer, I would stay back in my home town and work at a zoo full-time. Currently I volunteer at a Cat Care Clinic (because you need to be 18 to work/volunteer at a zoo). But thanks for the advice
I just watched the Memorial thing on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlI_JmIHs9E
Really really touching. Bindi's so strong too... I'm just so amazed by everything.
I kind of wish that Steve would come to me in a dream or soemthing, but I don't think the time is right.. and though I feel like I'm allowing him to move on.. I might not actually be letting him. It hurts, but, if we all just let him go.. who knows what will happen. But I know it's time to carry on Steve's dreams.
