A truly beautiful note written by Steve Irwin has been discovered nearly 10 years after his death.
Steve’s father Bob says he found the unopened letter by chance when he was going through some old things to do research for his new memoir.
The letter is written is ink and scrawled on a plain piece of paper. Bob says he pulled out an old book while he was looking through his belongings when the note slipped out of the pages.
“Probably one of the most unfortunate things in a ‘Bloke’s Life’ is that it takes over 30 years to realise how essential you have been to build my character, my ethics and, most importantly, my HAPPINESS,” wrote the Crocodile Hunter.
“At 32, I am finally starting to figure it out. In good times and in bad, you were there. Your strength and endurance to raise me will not go unrewarded. My love for you is my strength!
“For the rest of my life I will reflect on the unbelievably GREAT times we’ve shared and will continue to share. You’re my best friends!”
The poignant note goes on to thank his parents for passing on their qualities to him.
“Please be happy to know that your strength and wisdom have been passed on,” he wrote.
Twelve years later, Steve was killed in an accident leaving behind his wife Terri and his two young children Bindi and Robert.
Bob has now published the letter at the beginning of his memoir and says the whole writing experience has only served to remind him of how wonderful Steve was.
“Working on this book, I have been constantly reminded of Steve’s boundless energy, infectious humour and unrestrained passion for wildlife in our far too short a time together. But he is still here, still with me and I am able to gain strength from him,” he told News Corp.
“What he stood for and what he was able to achieve means just as much now as when he was here in the physical world.
“There are so many people who have been inspired by Steve Irwin. I am really, really proud of that. I hope that sharing these stories can be a pertinent reminder of the enormity of his legacy, a legacy that has not only taught us the importance of reconnecting with our environment but to be passionate in doing so.”