Our family's deepest and most sincere condolences go across oceans and continents to Terri Irwin and those beautiful and precious Irwin children as well as to Bob, Wes and all who were a close part of the Irwin family. I wish that I could simply hug Terri to give her all the strength I have to spare but I pray that she be given all of God's instead.

It was an honor to welcome Steve Irwin and the Crocodile Hunter shows into our home and we will miss him dearly. As I watched all of the TV coverage about Steve's life, his experiences, his passions, his family and friends, and all that he wished to share and to teach, I realized two amazing things.

First, I realized that this man must surely have sucked the air out of a room when he walked in to it - he nearly did so through a TV screen; that he must have brought light and wonder to anyone he spoke to and therefore, most assuredly his absence will leave a profoundly rare emptiness in the lives of his wife, father, and best mate. While we all experience pain and loss, this man was exceptional and the loss will forever be exceptional.

Secondly, I realized that Steve's purpose in life was to teach millions of us to love and care for all living things....not just wildlife, but each other. This is the legacy of a truly great teacher.

I'm not sure when I'll stop going to sleep and waking up with the sound of Steve's voice saying "Crikey!" but I hope that I never forget the lessons he taught me.

God bless and keep you Terri, Bindi, Bob, Robert and Wes. Our prayers are with you.