Hey True Blue, don’t say you’ve gone
Say you’ve knocked off for a smoko
And you’ll be back later on
Hey True Blue, Hey True Blue.
Lyrics by John Williamson
(“Hey True Blue” was Steve’s favorite song and it was sung by John Williamson at Steve’s Memorial service at the Australia Zoo on 20.9.06.)
Steve Irwin has knocked off for smoko (finished for a smoke or tea break). His smoko is going to be a long one and people all over the world will sorely miss him. I know that many people are struggling to make sense of such a vibrant life, cut short. The question of “why” is a natural question. We all strive to make sense of things we can’t understand. We seek information and reframe our thoughts to match situations that have meaning to us. Click onto John Williamson’s song, Hey True Blue, to understand the significance of some of the strong Aussie symbolism in the song.
When grieving for Steve, and trying to make sense of his death, imagine what you would have liked to have said to him. Then, go and say what you want to say to other people that you love. Life is so short. None of us know what’s around the corner. Don’t allow your strong feelings over Steve’s short life to die with him. Use them to improve your relationships and unspoken thoughts with people you know and care deeply about. Don’t take their life for granted.
A colleague recently told me that she doesn’t do remorse; she does intelligent regret. Her intelligent regret is tempered by knowing that she did all she could in any given situation. And so be it with our loved ones. Use your grief from Steve’s public Memorial Service, and allow it to make your life complete and worthwhile. Live life like Steve did: full of commitment and passion with only intelligent regret (an understanding and knowing that you did everything that you could). Leave a legacy of care, rather than a legacy of selfishness or deficient communications.
When somebody we love dies, we often find ourselves repeating their words, favorite phrases, eating the foods they loved, visiting the places they walked, etc. We do this to help us make sense of our loss and to respect our memories of them. Given the Memorial Service was so Australian, your children may be interested to know what the Aussie Slang meant. Visit KoalaNet to help your children make sense of the loss of the language and magic of of Steve Irwin: Crocodile Hunter.
See ya Mate.
Related Families.com articles in tribute to the amazing Aussie, Steve Irwin Crocodile Hero:
The effect of the death of a celebrity,
Ten Facts about the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin,
Swimmers Target Stingrays To Avenge Steve Irwin’s Death.