Escape Adulthood with Kim & Jason » So Long, Crocodile Hunter

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September 5th, 2006 at 8:30 am

by Jason | Adultitis, Adultitis-O-Meter, Delight in the Little Things, Get Curious, Live Passionately, Play

When I first saw Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, I thought, "Now this guy is one big kid!" His boyish passion and wide-eyed enthusiasm were irresistible. Whether he was sticking his head in a crocodile’s mouth or picking up an irritated snake by the tail, I couldn’t stop watching. Needless to say, Kim and I were saddened to hear about his death yesterday.

He died doing what he loved, interacting with animals. For a few brief moments after learning of his passing, I couldn’t help but think, "Why did he always have to put himself in danger all the time? After awhile, it was bound to catch up to him." But then I reconsidered. I would rather die at 44, passionately doing what I loved, than spend my whole life playing it safe so I could die at the age of 88 in a rocking chair.

As I speak nationwide about Adultitis, I often wonder if it’s possible to live a life that’s completely Adultitis-free. I must say, I’ve observed this guy for a long time, and I can’t find any significant signs of the disease anywhere. I didn’t know him personally, but even the people who knew him best say that the guy you see on TV is the real Steve Irwin.

The guy’s curiosity and playfulness and passion are way off the chart. And he had a big dream. He wanted the world to see normally feared and despised animals like crocs and snakes and sharks as he saw them: cute, gorgeous, and beau-oooo-tiful. He reasoned that if the world could relate to these creatures, they’d be more inclined to protect them and their habitats. Did he delight in the little things? Let me put it this way: I once saw him root through a pile of "dragon poo" with the enthusiasm and excitement of a boy opening his only present on Christmas morning.

He’s the perfect example of being childlike — I’ll never forget his boyish grin or how his eyes got as wide as saucers when he stumbled upon a rattlesnake nest — without being childish. Besides being a committed dad and husband, no one was more determined or serious about protecting wildlife and educating us on the beauty and importance of all of God’s creation.

We need more Steve Irwins in this world. And I’m not just talking about the wildlife community. We need someone who is as enthusiastic and energetic and optimistic and determined in the arena of politics. We need some Steve Irwins in the field of education. In dentistry. In the pharmaceutical lab. In the local bank. I suppose the most tragic thing about losing Steve Irwin is that there are too few people like him.

So long, Crocodile Hunter. Thank you for teaching us. Thank you for showing us what an Adultitis-free life looks like.

Crikey, I already miss him so much.

Technorati Tags: Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, Adultitis, Australia, snakes, crocodiles, sharks

6 Comments on the Chalkboard »

19755

[...] Escape Adulthood [...]

Pingback by =) Bnpositive’s Blog » We’ll Miss You Steve on 9/5/2006 @ 9:10 am

19777

I too was greatly saddened by Mr. Irwin’s passing. Reading your entries, and particularly the passage above reminded me of my last trip to the local science museum’s butterfly garden.

In a viewing lab nearby they put on a display of caterpillars on plants, showing off the lifecycle process. I had approached one of them and internally commented to myself that the creature eating away at the leaves was certainly the ugliest creature in the world - it was colored with browns of various awkward shades, matted looking and fuzzy, creepy, crawly, and covered in what seemed like horns. Far from attractive at all! However, upon further reading on the display card nearby, I was aghast to learn that the little beast was larvae form of the Blue Morpho - my favorite of the butterflies I had seen there, and perhaps the most beautiful butterfly in existence!

We all should look at the world as Steve Irwin saw it. All things are truly beautiful. Perhaps he was one of those few people who saw all the true beauty in the world.

Link to a Blue Morpho:
http://fionnaigh.orcon.net.nz/bluemorpho2.jpg

Comment by Kristine on 9/5/2006 @ 6:41 pm

19778

Cool story and great perspective, Kristine.

Comment by Jason on 9/5/2006 @ 7:12 pm

19785

Well said, Jason!! Well said! And I totally agree with you!!
I am still having a hard time getting this to sink in. It almost seems… unreal.

We definitely need more Steve Irwins out there!

Comment by Owlet on 9/5/2006 @ 9:37 pm

20065

[...] Lots and lots has already been said and written about the late great Crocodile Hunter. But I wanted to call your attention to one more article about Steve Irwin’s death specifically because it really underscores what this blog is all about. Nick Coleman of the Star Tribune observes that Irwin’s passing is "the rarest of tragedies: the death of a celebrity that affects children and adults at the same time." Here are some highlights: The 11-year-old next door, who has a collection of insects in his garage that frightens the neighborhood, seemed especially upset. He kept telling me, over and over, "It’s true! The Crocodile Hunter is dead! He got killed!" Around the world, on the other side of the globe, a good-natured Australian nature lover died, and children in Minnesota were upset and unhappy. [...]

Pingback by Escape Adulthood » Authentic Wonder on 9/9/2006 @ 11:46 am

172241

[...] Somewhere along the line, we lose that unbridled childlike enthusiasm. It occurs at different times for different people. (Some people are even lucky enough to never have lost it.) I’m not sure even I’d want to live in a world where everyone, everywhere cheered anytime something remotely exciting happened. (Although it might be fun: My Cherry Coke came with TWO cherries! Yeehaaaa!!!) [...]

Pingback by Escape Adulthood » I’ll Have What They’re Having on 7/5/2007 @ 4:41 pm

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