Nutsy
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- Mar 23, 2002
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Terri Irwin reveals pain of writing Steve's story
Writing a book about her life with Steve was one of the last things Terri Irwin wanted to do after the death of her Croc Hunter husband in September last year.
But in that typical Irwin fashion, the mother of two put aside her own grief to share memories of a man who dedicated his life to wildlife conservation and in turn became an Australian icon.
She was forced to read through the journals she had kept throughout their 14-year marriage and re-live the wonderful times she had shared with Steve, knowing she would never be able to recapture that magic.
It was surprisingly difficult throughout the whole experience, Terri said of writing the book.
I couldnt be near my children because sometimes I would just weep.
So I had to be very private at the time of writing, and even the funny stories were very painful, knowing that we would never be able to share that again.
In a frank and earnest account of her relationship with Steve, Terri spoke about the connection the two shared from the instant their eyes met across the crocodile enclosure at the then Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park back in October 1991.
A lot of us look back at situations and opportunities and think It mustve been destiny, she said.
Im no (psychic) John Edward, but When I met Steve there was something about him that made me feel like Whoa, something is at work here thats bigger than both of us and that has been part of our lives, our work and our marriage ever since.
If we were arguing about a project or about conservation work there was that sense of destiny and that kept us on track.
We wanted to make sure that what we left behind would make the world a better place, and we realised that petty problems were just that, and wed go straight back to work.
Despite the challenge of writing the book, Terri said she wanted people to see the Steve she knew and loved so they would have more appreciation for his work.
Sharing things that people wouldnt have known about the laughter, the embarrassing things and the happy memories there are things that people would not have known about Steve, but basically with Steve, what you saw was what you got, she said.
One memory that stood out for Terri was a trip to the Simpson Desert to film a documentary.
When we go out filming, its not like were at the Ritz drinking Mai-Thais; wed go out bush and we were in the desert and wed hit the nearest dam for a tub, she said.
There was something in the ground that I hurt my foot on and I asked Steve to move it but we didnt know what it was.
I thought it was a tree limb or something, but there were no trees around and Steve couldnt budge it.
So Steve got the ute and pulled out this cows pelvis with this half decomposed cow hanging off it and it was right where I had been washing my hair and brushing my teeth just a few moments earlier.
Those were the funny moments, the good times when wed sit and watch the sunset, and Steve would cook dinner and wed sit around the camp fire.
It was an experience like we were living in a movie and I never lost that sense, it was wonderful, thrilling, challenging, different, exciting and sometimes scary.
Terri said since Steves death, she had learnt to cope day to day and was grateful for the time they had together.
I dont have any regrets, I cherished the good times we had together and we had a whole month together before he died.
We said our goodbyes, even though we didnt know at the time that they would be our last goodbyes, but we were very lucky.
Now Terri is looking forward to continuing to expand Australia Zoo and completing the numerous projects she started with Steve all those years ago.
There has been a tremendous amount done since we lost Steve, and were determined not to let anything falter, she said.
Some days its hard to get out of bed, but then I see the daylight and I think of all that needs to be done.
Olivia Newton-John gives Terri Irwin a hug after Terri welcomes her to Australia Zoo for Steve Irwin Day.
Writing a book about her life with Steve was one of the last things Terri Irwin wanted to do after the death of her Croc Hunter husband in September last year.
But in that typical Irwin fashion, the mother of two put aside her own grief to share memories of a man who dedicated his life to wildlife conservation and in turn became an Australian icon.
She was forced to read through the journals she had kept throughout their 14-year marriage and re-live the wonderful times she had shared with Steve, knowing she would never be able to recapture that magic.
It was surprisingly difficult throughout the whole experience, Terri said of writing the book.
I couldnt be near my children because sometimes I would just weep.
So I had to be very private at the time of writing, and even the funny stories were very painful, knowing that we would never be able to share that again.
In a frank and earnest account of her relationship with Steve, Terri spoke about the connection the two shared from the instant their eyes met across the crocodile enclosure at the then Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park back in October 1991.
A lot of us look back at situations and opportunities and think It mustve been destiny, she said.
Im no (psychic) John Edward, but When I met Steve there was something about him that made me feel like Whoa, something is at work here thats bigger than both of us and that has been part of our lives, our work and our marriage ever since.
If we were arguing about a project or about conservation work there was that sense of destiny and that kept us on track.
We wanted to make sure that what we left behind would make the world a better place, and we realised that petty problems were just that, and wed go straight back to work.
Despite the challenge of writing the book, Terri said she wanted people to see the Steve she knew and loved so they would have more appreciation for his work.
Sharing things that people wouldnt have known about the laughter, the embarrassing things and the happy memories there are things that people would not have known about Steve, but basically with Steve, what you saw was what you got, she said.
One memory that stood out for Terri was a trip to the Simpson Desert to film a documentary.
When we go out filming, its not like were at the Ritz drinking Mai-Thais; wed go out bush and we were in the desert and wed hit the nearest dam for a tub, she said.
There was something in the ground that I hurt my foot on and I asked Steve to move it but we didnt know what it was.
I thought it was a tree limb or something, but there were no trees around and Steve couldnt budge it.
So Steve got the ute and pulled out this cows pelvis with this half decomposed cow hanging off it and it was right where I had been washing my hair and brushing my teeth just a few moments earlier.
Those were the funny moments, the good times when wed sit and watch the sunset, and Steve would cook dinner and wed sit around the camp fire.
It was an experience like we were living in a movie and I never lost that sense, it was wonderful, thrilling, challenging, different, exciting and sometimes scary.
Terri said since Steves death, she had learnt to cope day to day and was grateful for the time they had together.
I dont have any regrets, I cherished the good times we had together and we had a whole month together before he died.
We said our goodbyes, even though we didnt know at the time that they would be our last goodbyes, but we were very lucky.
Now Terri is looking forward to continuing to expand Australia Zoo and completing the numerous projects she started with Steve all those years ago.
There has been a tremendous amount done since we lost Steve, and were determined not to let anything falter, she said.
Some days its hard to get out of bed, but then I see the daylight and I think of all that needs to be done.
Olivia Newton-John gives Terri Irwin a hug after Terri welcomes her to Australia Zoo for Steve Irwin Day.
Duh!
