All I know...

[ScreamingMeemie]

-Is that I couldn't console an 8 year old boy yesterday morning. Much as I tried, I rocked him like I hadn't since he was a toddler. I went through a box of Kleenex, drying tears that wouldn't stop coming. At times like these it sucks to be a mom. I can't explain away why one of his favorite television heroes died. I can't make it better I won't even try. Personally, I didn't much care for the tone of the program. It got under my skin, quite like Pokemon, Teletubbies, and his sister's fave "My Little Pony Tales" did before it. But my son, my little boy, learned so much from the show and the man. That can't be half bad, can it? What's bad is I couldn't ease the pain my little boy felt. What's good? I know my little boy will grow up to be a compassionate and caring human being. In part, thanks to Mr. Irwin.

I also know this, I'm a little bit glad I didn't DU yesterday...

[meegbear]

1. You're a great mom ...

my parents would have told me to "suck it up, he's just a person on TV". It's nice to hear that someone out there watched him and loved him.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Thanks meeg...

My parents would have too, and they did. Luckily, MrG (for all his "tough"ness) is quite like me. Together we sat and cried when we heard of the death of John Denver. This week reminds me very much of that week. I won't let the caring side of my son be brainwashed out of him. He loved that show.

[Cerridwen]

2. Aw, MrsGrumpy, your post made me cry.

I'm so sorry your son has to go through this. I'm happy for him he has you to help.

I'm very glad you didn't DU yesterday. For you and your son's sake.

Let him know a lot of other people feel the same way he does.

to you and your son.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Cerridwen...

That was really nice of you. It happened (his finding out) in an awful way. His big sister came in the kitchen and told us. A friend had called her. I looked it up on the computer... and then I looked at his eyes welling up. You don't expect your children to take things so hard.

I was stunned when I started reading yesterday's threads.

[seabeyond]

3. i experienced with my own 8 yr old. wasn't quite so sad with tears

and rocking, though that hurts. our perspective on death and the loss of irwin was more in philisophical learning and putting death in perspective. it was a huge day of learning for us yesterday because of my boys love and admiration for this man. and like you, irwin was not a favorite of mine, but his enthusiasm certainly reeled in my boys.

they did read the threads on this board. while eating breakfast and lunch i will have the board up and let them explore. we are all very much into learning and reading others thoughts. they focused on the irwin threads. appreciative of all those that felt compassion and kindness for the man. sad for those that couldnt feel kindness at a time of such death

irwin included his family in these shows. the kids got to know his daughter, and they picture themselves in that childs experience. their compassion would be a good lesson for some on this board

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. The fact that he admitted he was a bit of a thrill seeker along with

being a conservationist...that he donated so much $$ to conservationism tells us that this was not a bad man... This was a man who was teaching our children to care about their surroundings...in a thrilling way.

[buddhamama]

7. we have fond memories

of Steve. Dylan and I did a bit of crying ourselves yesterday. I thank Steve for having the impact he did on Dylan, and helping me comminicate to my son the importance of all life and, giving him a deeper respect and understanding of our natural world.

Mrs.G

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. Hi buddhamama.

If I haven't said it lately, I love what you bring to DU. It makes it worth staying here today.

[buddhamama]

10. .....

thank you, dearheart. the reason i keep coming back, are You, and other DUers i have come to love and respect. your son Will grow up to be a caring, respectful adult because you're a wonderful mother and a good person.

love ya,
Cheryl

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. Coming from you...that means a lot.

[ComerPerro]

9. That's really sad. I feel worse now for all the 8-year olds out there

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. This man taught a lot to my 8 year old.

I hope he rests in peace and I hope his family finds some solace in the knowledge of that.

[renate]

13. awwww.....

to your little one.

Your sensitivity will teach him a beautiful lesson. I still remember my parents' compassion from 30 years ago when I heard bad news about my favorite singer on the evening news. It meant a lot to me that they sympathized instead of blowing my grief off with "it's not as though you knew her."

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. Hi renate...

Another cool thing is that his teacher talked with the class about it today (first day of school). He has the same teacher as last year and they used a lot of Crocodile Hunter materials in their science studies. My parents were very much like yours (although I adore my father, he is horrid with death) and tended to even underestimate the affect that the death of a real life friend could have.

I passed it along.

[KatieW]

14. You did good MrsGrumpy. I had a similar experience when I was 11.

I was very into the space program and all when I was little. Even had a scrap book I started way back with the Gemini program. I felt the way you son did yesterday when the Apollo 1 astronauts were killed with the launch pad fire. I guess it was the first time death hit home to me, my first time coming to terms with what death meant.
You sound like a wonderful mom.

[ScreamingMeemie]

16. I try my best and fail miserably at times.

His outburst surprised me at first, until I put it into context with my own life experiences. It wasn't so long ago that his father and I sat and mourned the death of John Denver. It is his first experience with dealing with sudden, and almost unthinkable loss.

I was going to welcome you to DU but then I checked your profile...let me say this...Happy 1 Year Anniversary!!!

[hunter]

17. John Denver... yes.

I was thinking that too. I don't know, maybe because they were both doing something they loved?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Boy, this brings back memories...

[ScreamingMeemie]

25. It's very odd, because my father was telling me that he was similarly

affected by the death of George Reeves.

[Raster]

19. Nice post MrsGrumpy

Thanks

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. You're welcome.

[roguevalley]

20. its incredibly sad. its always the good guys who leave us. makes

you wonder why.

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. It does make one wonder...

but I wonder if we are just hit harder by the loss.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

21. I'm sorry that Grumpy Son took it hard

I had wondered how the kids were going to react to this, since they were the lion share of his audience.

Sadly, I don't imagine your experience was an isolated one.

Here...for you to pass on to Grumpy Son.

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. It was what I wondered as well, until my cousin's wife told me

that their 8 year old was having a tough time as well.

thanks

[treestar]

22. Aren't you just a little bit pissed off at him?

If he'd just been a little more careful, you wouldn't have this trauma.

[ScreamingMeemie]

29. It was Mr. Irwin's life to live.

I'm not going to sit in judgement.

[haele]

23. Heck, the fourteen year old was in tears for a good 15 minutes...

And she had already lost people in her life. She loved the Croc Hunter when she was younger, and this was just so sudden for her - brought back memories of those relatives and pets that had gone that she didn't have a chance to say goodbye to.

It's tough for anyone to come to terms with the fact that there will no longer be "that certain presence" that they admire in the world anymore, even if they can watch re-runs.

Haele

[ScreamingMeemie]

30. We started watching a rerun today... but decided it was a bit

too tough to do today.

[hootinholler]

24. Crikey!

Of all the Mr. Irwin threads I've started to read and then closed, this one pulled a tear out of my eye. I'm glad your boy has you there to comfort him.

-Hoot

[ScreamingMeemie]

31. Thank you Hoot.

I guess you can't shield your kids forever.