I just finished watching the interview with Terri Irwin,and I feel like I've been beaten with a stick. It's finally hitting home for me that Steve is really gone;that it's not just some really bad practical joke. I'm normally a pretty realistic guy:stuff happens;deal with it,learn from it,and move forward. But Steve's death has really rattled me,because he was one of my heroes. He's the reason I got into handling and saving snakes. He's the reason I view every day as a new one to get out there and 'get amongst it'. He's the one that made me feel like I could make some sort of difference. And,now he's gone,I have to regroup and find strength to run headlong at things again. I got teary the other day talking with an understanding customer in my store,which is where I can be at my most professional,but wasn't for a few seconds. Christ,I miss him. I will also happily do time if I get one good,hitting-home shot at Germaine Greer for her comments after his death. If anyone can get me a chance meeting with her,I'll be forever indebted to them. And I really don't care if anyone sees Steve,and what he stood for,different to me;he was my hero,and that's about as simple as it gets.
So...the question remains:who's YOUR hero? You don't have to say why,and it needn't be anyone that we've all heard of. For once,wear your heart on your sleeve,and let us all know.
Some of mine are my brother and mother(he's taken more responsibilities in his life than I can imagine,she's dealt with more than any mother should have to),Barry Sheene(an inspirational life gone too early),my mate Darren L.(refer Mr Sheenes' comments,but taken even earlier),Valentino Rossi(the purest form of what it means to be a racer),my best mate Craig for proving the impossible can be done...the list has a few more entries;I may expand on them later...
So,once again:who is YOUR hero?