Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s)

I have been thinking off and on throughout the day about the Crocodile Hunter. I am certain that you have heard of his untimely demise. And the way it happened. Freak accident… never happens… no way it should have happened. I have thought of his family who are without a husband and a daddy tonight. I have thought of what he is doing now.

I have also placed myself in his shoes. OK, so I wouldn’t be diving with giant sting rays, but apparently this time he wasn’t even in that dangerous of a place. And that’s my point. I have thought about what a “freak accident” it was, and how what happened to him could have happened to anyone – but mostly doesn’t happen to anyone. I guess the randomness of it is a powerful reminder that no one can escape death. All of us must some day succumb to it’s hold on us, and no one knows when, or how we will take our last breath.

I was telling a friend tonight that I noticed when someone familiar to you (even a TV celebrity) dies, especially suddenly, and at a young age, there is first shock that they are gone. Then perhaps disbelief. And, depending on the closeness of the relationship, some level of grief. I keep thinking, “I can’t believe that happened… can’t believe he’s gone like that.” But then every time I catch myself and wonder why I can’t believe it. We all die, right? Every one of us. We will all die. I will die. But… I think that perhaps we (or maybe I am just speaking for myself) get lulled into thinking that death will not touch us. We will somehow be the one to cheat death.

Not gonna happen.

So, I think when we lose someone, even a public figure like Steve Irwin, it reminds us of our mortality. Reminds us that no matter how hard we try to escape, how good we are at ignoring it, death will come. Nothing in this life is secure, including this life itself. It’s very easy to forget that.

Perhaps it’s easy to forget it because it’s not right. Somehow, deep down inside, we know it’s not right. It’s not the way it’s supposed to be. Right? You’re not supposed to just be doing your normal life one moment, and then BAM! next moment your heart is pierced and you’re dead. How can we be that fragile? But we are. Life is not guaranteed. It feels like it should be (because I think God originally intended it that way) but… it is no longer that way.

At this point, it is good to remember that Jesus actually did beat death. And he said we would follow him. And I do believe that. I know that my death is not an end, but a beginning. But at the same time, it’s just weird to think about it, and perhaps that’s why when someone you “know” dies… it is a stark reminder that we will all face that same moment.

Well, I plan to watch a Croc Hunter episode or two in honor of one crazy bloke from down under. I do like the show. It’s defintely sad that he is gone so soon. But actually, it sure seems like he got to do what he loved to do in life. In fact, that’s in the official statement on the Crocodile Hunter website.

And, I plan to remember that life is not guaranteed. Live every moment to its fullest. Death tends to remind us to do that.