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It's been almost a year and a half since he died and I still feel sad about it. I remember finding out that day. Early morning, Labor Day here in the United States, and I saw a thread on a message board I frequent about it. I couldn't believe it. I remember crying so many times about it. The day of, the day after, the day of the Memorial Service on Animal Planet. It is still saddening to think about.

Steve Irwin was one of those people who truly LIVED life. He was such a wonderful person, and had such passion and enthusiasm for everything he loved. Hearing him talk about things he loved and was interested in, just made you love it too. I recently watched an interview from 2002 with The Daily Show With Jon Stewart for Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course movie, and Jon Stewart made a comment to him about his enthusiasm. He said, "In our country, we call your condition, Attention Deficit Disorder." And, it made me smile, because it was so true. His enthusiasm for everything he loved, was just brilliance.

I remember watching various memorials and Animal Planet related shows about Steve Irwin and his life during the days following his death. And they all had these beautiful things said by him that I am now going to share with you, the reader because of how they touched me:

"If there's one thing that I, Steve Irwin, would wanna be remembered for, it's be remembered for passion and enthusiasm. Conservation is my job, my life, my whole persona."

"My job, my mission, the reason I've been put onto this planet, is to save wildlife. And I thank you for comin' with me. Yeah, let's get 'em!"

As I read these two now, I get choked up. Because, that's just Steve Irwin all over. That's who he was. This was who this wonderful man was. And, it breaks my heart that he had to leave the Earth so soon.

I will always remember him for that. And for the fact that he taught me so much. He is one of the reasons that today, I am an animal lover, and care for them so deeply. He is one of the reasons that I want to change the world. Because Steve Irwin changed the world. He made us all aware of conservation, and I will always be grateful to that. He truly loved animals. He really did love them. And I'm sure they loved him back. As his father, Robert Irwin said, "The crocodiles are crying."

Steve Irwin, we miss you mate, and we're always thinking of you.

Learn more about this author, Ashley Benlove.
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