The Legacy Continues: Bindi Irwin

Many of us have debated who we think is the most influential person of 2006. Some of us have picked a politician; others have picked an actor or actress; while still others have said this or that scientist. Influential to whom and why many will ask when they disagree. Picking a person that is the most influential for any reason is going to be debated and argued. Maybe their right with whom they pick. Maybe they really don't have a clue what influential means. Regardless why they pick the person they did, it is likely due to the influence that person had on them for a given time frame.

As many of you will recall the Croc Hunter Steve Irwin was stabbed by a stingray and died back in October. At his memorial service we heard from the Prime Minister of Australia and from friends and co-workers. We heard from Irwin's dad the love and sorrow that this lost had on him. As each person spoke, the crowd applauded or sat in mournful silence as clips from the Croc Hunter was played on the big screens. And I doubt anyone will forget the emotional feeling we were left with as Irwin's crewmen packed up and drove off in the Croc Hunters truck.

When it comes to most influential we must consider what someone did that has left a lasting impression on our lives. You could say that I am referring to Steve Irwin. He was influential for many people, for many different reasons. But there is one person - at least to me that I still to this day, some two months later remember so vividly - Bindi Irwin.

Bindi Irwin did what other eight year olds might not have been able to do. She walked out in front of everyone, speech in hand, and bravely and symbolically paid tribute to her hero - her dad Steve Irwin. On Barbara Walters's special feature Teri Irwin, Teri told us that Bindi wrote her speech herself and requested to read it that day. Teri talked about how much like her dad Bindi was and how Bindi desires to carry on her dads work, as will the whole family.

With Bindi smile and composure during this time you are left with the same impression of a deep sense of understanding and purpose in life. Bindi seemed to know not only what she wanted to say, but in some way what those of us that watched Steve and Terry on the Animal Planet needed to hear. We needed to know, in some small way that there was going to be someone, sometime, somewhere that could carry on in Steve's footprints. We needed to feel once again what it meant to love the animals not only at the zoo's but also in the wild. And we needed to hear from Steve Irwin the Croc Hunter one last time - and we did. We heard the same passion, emotion and courage in Bindi that we saw and heard so often in Steve.

When Bindi talked of her love for her daddy she was expressing also the love for his life's work. If you looked into her eyes, even in that time of sadness and lost you could see the out pouring of enthusiasm, the same enthusiasm we saw in Steve Irwin. When you watch, "The Crocodile Hunter" and see clips of Bindi on the show you can see the love and joy working with the different species of animals brings to her, as we saw each and every time in Steve. When Steve spoke of helping and understanding animals or reptiles like elephants, snakes or even crocodiles you could hear and see in him a deep understanding and appreciation for them, Bindi shares that same understanding and appreciation.

When Bindi gave her tribute to her dad at the memorial people all over the world listened. Bindi stood there with a smile and a show of love and yes she even conveyed sorrow and sadness. When she finished she didn't cry or weep in front of the cameras. It was those there in the auditorium and around the world watching on television that cried and wept. We wept for her. We wept for her and the entire Irwin family. And we wept for the animals that Steve Irwin so cherished.

When Bindi spoke the world listened and gave this little girl their love and support. They shared that love and support in the way of a standing ovation when Bindi finished speaking. Influence is about making a lasting impression. Bindi carries on where Steve Irwin left off. A lasting impression that Steve left behind is a legacy that Bindi will inherit. Bindi Irwin may only be eight years old but her influence that day will continue on in the hearts and minds of those of us that watched one last time.