The Crocodile Hunter may no longer walk this earth, but on what would have been Steve Irwin's birthday, his children left the rest of us in tears with their touching, heartfelt tributes!
After losing a loved one, they are gone but certainly not forgotten. And certain milestones will pop up, reminding us of just how much we miss them.
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In those moments, it's hard not to see the hole created by their absence. But we can also celebrate the impact they made in our lives during their time on earth and be inspired. And that's just what Bindi Irwin and her brother, Robert Irwin, did on what would have been Steve Irwin's birthday.
Born February 22, 1962, Steve Irwin grew up in Australia. The Lord clearly gave this man a heart for taking care of all of God's creatures. The charismatic zoo keeper and environmentalist became known worldwide as The Crocodile Hunter in his hit TV series of the same name.
Steve Irwin shared his passion for caring for and conserving wildlife with his wife, Terri, and his children, Bindi and Robert. And the Crocodile Hunter's vibrant personality made it easy to forget the danger involved in his job.
Sadly, though, while filming a documentary on dangerous animals in 2006, Steve Irwin passed away at 44 years old after a barb from a stingray pierced his heart.
His family carried on, honoring Steve Irwin’s dying wish to keep the Australia Zoo going. And when the anniversary of Steve Irwin's birthday rolled around, his family paid tribute on social media.
Steve's widow, Terri Irwin, wished her late husband a happy birthday in Heaven. She shared old and new family photos alike, assuring Steve he'd "done good."
Happy birthday, Steve. You did good. pic.twitter.com/3RCyljHPPs
— Terri Irwin (@TerriIrwin) February 22, 2023
Steve's son, Robert Irwin, also took a moment to wish his late dad a happy birthday, sharing a photo of the two of them from when Robert was a baby.
And even the Australian Zoo paid tribute to the man who'd dedicated his life to caring for all of God's critters, big and small.
But perhaps one of the sweetest and most heartfelt messages came from Steve's daughter, Bindi Irwin.
Bindi, who is now a mother herself, spent time reflecting on her father's legacy in her moving post. She credited Steve for instilling in her a deep love for wildlife of all kinds, something she hopes to pass along to her daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell. And Bindi credits her dad with inspiring her to always make a difference.
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"Your legacy lives on and the world is forever changed because of your dedication to conservation," she wrote. "Mum, Robert and I love and miss you so much."
Bindi's touching words are a powerful reminder of what it means to live life well. Their father has been gone longer than the years spent with him, And yet, the impact Steve Irwin made in the brief time he had with Bindi and Robert has lasted all their lives.
What a wonderful legacy this man has left behind!
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"A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him." Proverbs 20:7
h/t: Newsner
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Bindi Irwin
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!