Cute Little Bastards

Although I was born and live here in the U.S. I spent 10 of my more formative years growing up in Australia. My mum and step dad live there, as does my father. You can say that Oz, and the rich experiences I gained there, figure prominently in my life and in my parenting style. Even the name for my blog, cute little bastards, is inspired by an Australian sense of humor, not afraid to call it like you see it and just a little too rough around the edges.

But that’s not the only connection I have to Steve Irwin, the famed Croc Hunter from Down Under. As so many of you did, I started watching the Croc Hunter in its earliest days here in the U.S. when my first son Max was born. And then came Charlie four years later. We sat and laughed and laughed and were equal parts mezmorized, charmed and incredulous from Steve’s enthusiasm and charm. And although he won’t be with us anymore I can say just as surely that my youngest son and daughter John and Julia will be just as enamored with him. Steve lived his life, ‘flat out like a lizard drinkin!’ Steve has been a part of so many family’s lives and I suspect he will be remembered most as an adoring father. His strong values around his friends and family are well known to his fans.

The Irwin Family

My wife Shannon and I gathered around the tube last night for over two hours and watched his retrospective and cried. We will all miss him so much. Our hearts go out to his wife and two kids, his dad, siblings and all his mates. Although Steve’s kids are still so young, they have known a great father, and I have no doubt that his spirit will live on in them and that they will share his contagious passion for animal conservation, life and family.

Steve, Good on ‘ya mate, we’ll miss ya.

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