Learn How to Catch Our Childrens' Hearts

by Warwick Marsh

They say it's not what a man does that is important but what he leaves behind when he steps off this planet. Sadly Steve Irwin stepped off the planet way too soon. Stingray fatalities are very rare. I think three, ever recorded in Australia, but Steve Irwin was third in line. Ironic that it was a stingray and not a crocodile, but life is never fair. Steve's death proves the point. .

We will all step off the planet one day but, as a father, what legacy will we leave behind when we go? Three hundred million people stopped their day last Wednesday to find out what Steve Irwin had left behind when his Memorial Tribute was beamed by satellite around the world. John Williamson's iconic song, 'Hey true blue, is it me or you? Is it Mum and Dad, is it a cockatoo? Is it standing by your mate when he's in a fight or will she be right?' echoed across the planet asking all the right questions. Russell Crowe said, "We have all lost a friend, we have all lost a champion." Cameron Diaz said, "Every kid was in love with the idea of being able to be him." Hugh Jackman said, "Steve showed us we can all live like warriors, and we can make the w! orld a better place." Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, said, "Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world . . . because he had that quality of being genuine, of being authentic, of being unconditional and having a great zest for life and throughout his all-too-short life he demonstrated a love for the two things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else - his love of his family and his love of his country."

Perhaps the most revealing tribute was paid by Kevin Costner who said, "Where he is the most fearless is that he let us see who he was and that's being brave in today's society because . . . you show yourself to so many people willing to mimic and mock you." Steve Irwin certainly had many mockers, especially here in Australia. Many thought he was a bit over the top, and maybe so, but that was who he was. That is what captured people's hearts. The last time people were so touched with someone's death was that of Princess Diana. Cameron Diaz was right - 'children loved him'. When children love you, that's always a good sign. Jesus said you must become like a child to get to heaven. Kostya Tszyu, World Champion boxer said about Steve Irwin, "He was ! first and foremost still a kid at heart. I've known Steve for quite some time - he came one day to my place with Russell Crowe. I have quite a few animals in the house and he would jump and play with the rabbit like he was a real kid. It was amazing. He was so real, he was not a fake."

'You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can?t fool all the people all the time'. Most of all you can't fool your own children. Children will eventually see through pretence. That's why being a father is so scary. You can't hide yourself, you have to be real. You have to be who you are, yourself. And if who you are is not good, you have to be prepared to change. It is so important to commit to changing for the better because your children need to know that you are on a journey, and that you enjoy the challenge. The journey is called 'life' and the challenge is to live each moment and enjoy it like a child. This is what our children teach us every day if we allow them to.

Really it was Steve Irwin's eight year old daughter Bindi who said it the best: "My Daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun. I know that daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did. He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live. He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together. I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. I have the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day. When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help daddy."

Lovework

Talking about Steve Irwin with my family, I asked my 19 year old son what he would say about me when I died. He couldn't answer me because he said, "You're not dead yet!" What is the message for you this week? Listen to your children and have fun with them no matter how old they are, because when you are dead and gone they will say what's in their hearts, and that is the greatest legacy you can leave behind when you leave the planet.

.

Yours for the legacy of love


Warwick Marsh

PS. You might not be able to catch a crocodile, but we can all learn how to catch our children's hearts. Steve Irwin, you were a great dad and we honour you mate!

PPS. The Terri Irwin Interview on Wednesday night was amazing. What a woman! What a family! What a man! Steve Irwin was obviously an extremely committed father. What one of his best friends said about him was true, "He was a great advocate for wildlife but an even greater father." What an incredible legacy he gave not only to his family but the whole world in this regard.

NOTE: Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison for 30 years. He is the father of five children, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 25 years to 13 years. Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himself.