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Location: Harrisburg, Oregon, United States

Monday, September 04, 2006

Surprise of Death

I had a bit of a shock today. I read that Steve Irwin died. It was some sort of freakish accident while filming a documentary. Stung in the chest by a sting ray. ~shaking my head~ It is weird. I had kind of felt a connection to him and his wild ways of filming and working with animals. I had wanted to meet him and visit the Australian Zoo. His death just kind of made the bottom fall out of my heart. It was as if I lost a close friend. The only other famous person's death that effected me like this was when Vincent Price died. I cried at the loss of someone whose voice could send shivers down my spine when he narrated a story. When I was a child, I wanted to meet him and have a chance to work with him. But of course that was a fantasy and one which was never met.

So now what do I do with this grief? Grief over a person I never knew, but felt connected to. It's like a journey that ends before you leave your driveway. The loss of a hope and dream.

Since I can remember, I have wanted to go to Australia. I felt there was this sort of Oregon, Australia connection. My days were consumed with ideas of exploration of the then secret outback. I wanted to see first hand these strange marsupial creatures that only exist on this island nation. I never lost my affection for Australia, nor the desire to go there. When the Crock Hunter started to be shown on animal planet, I was always eager to watch. Then I learned his wife was from Oregon. I grew up in Oregon and for me, Steve Irwin had made that Oregon/Australia connection. His wife was from a place just two hours north of where I was raised.

I may never wrestle a crocodilian or chase after deadly snakes. But this is my small tribute to someone who made a dream of mine a little more real.

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