Fair dinkum

I just finished watching the Steve Irwin memorial service, and I have come to the official conclusion that, legally, I am not cynical enough to be a blogger.*

The service was heartbreaking. I sat on the sofa for nearly an hour, bawling. The dog was concerned. I'm not sure which moment was most devastating: Steve's father, Bob, asking us not to grieve for Steve, but rather for the animals -- who lost the best friend they ever had; Steve's daughter, Bindi, doing a brilliant job of reading a note for her daddy while displaying more poise than I exhibit on any average day; the sight of Bob, Bindi and Steve's sister feeding his three favorite elephants, who were brought into the service by Australia Zoo staff; a video of Steve's crying as a baby elephant touched his face with its trunk; Steve's "right-hand croc man" loading up Steve's ute, which was parked in the middle of the arena, and driving it out of the venue for the last time.

I weeped like a child during each of those moments. But I think the most devastating thing might be this. Interspersed throughout the program were video clips of Steve, as well as taped messages from all manner of celebrity. One clip showed Steve as a guest on Steve Harvey's radio show. Harvey told Irwin that he was "officially a brother" for his speed and agility, ostensibly in the service of bad-ass croc wrestling. A lesser man would have worked very hard to come up with a witty, clever, ironic response. With a gravitas and sincerity that is probably not often heard on Steve Harvey's radio show, Steve Irwin said something like, "I'm just a regular bloke from Australia. Your acceptance of me just goes straight to my heart."

Then, a message from Kevin Costner. Now, I am not normally in the habit of quoting Kevin Costner -- or believing in his words as somehow transcendent. However, he perfectly articulated what's been bothering me so much about the loss of Steve Irwin. He said that of all the fearless things Steve had done, the bravest was letting people see who he was. Because letting people see who you are opens you up to criticism and mockery. But he didn't care, because he knew that his truth was much bigger than whatever jokes people could make of him. Well put, Costner. And well executed, Steve. That's the kind of perspective you need to really make a difference amid the static and choas of this world.

Perhaps that's why people liked him so much, because he wasn't afraid to be honest, positive and enthusiastic in a world where cynicism and bitterness reign. There's a dorky little kid inside all of us who still secretly loves snakes or geology or butterflies, though we may not get the opportunity to explore or exclaim that passion because we are too busy peppering our daily conversations with measured mixtures of detachment, irony, cleverness and wit. Steve was that dorky little kid, and he didn't have to hide anything behind anything. Imagine how liberating that must be; is it any wonder he was so happy? And what does it say about us that many of us thought he was too happy, too gushing?

The worldwide outpouring of emotion following Steve's death has been an "acceptable" chance for the mirthful reptile geeks in all of us to let loose. For example, check out these University of Florida students:

Maybe they only like him because he liked crocodiles and they are Florida Gator fans; I don't know if they are even the ones who put the sign there. Still, this photo strikes me as particularly poignant. If you had asked those kids two weeks ago how they felt about Steve Irwin, they might have been too cool to give you a straight answer. But that poster had to get there somehow. I imagine those fine students waking up early at their fraternity house to go to Kinko's and pick up their Steve Irwin tribute poster, then trekking to the hardware store for a few roles of electrical tape to affix it to the stadium wall. Really, they ought to be hungover or something instead. But that's the thing about true blue honesty -- people understand it; people celebrate it. They are relieved that someone has put aside the affectation and artifice to be real, even if it is just for a moment.

I haven't even touched on my pride in a nation for seeing Steve off in style and with the kind of dignity and love that only Australian mateship can provide. John Howard wasn't exaggerating when he told Terri and her children that there are "20 million pairs of Australian arms reaching out to you today." Good on all of you.

And Steve, good on you, too.

*Though I would like to state that Justin Timberlake taped a video message that was played during the memorial service. And he is bringing sexy back! So I can't be that uncool....