Kathie Lee Gifford is surely mourning the passing of her beloved husband, Frank Gifford, but is insisting just the same that his death on Sunday is not a tragedy.
Absent from The Today Show on Monday, her co-host and dear friend Hoda Kotb relayed something Kathie Lee Gifford shared with her just hours after Frank passed away.
“Kath said something to me yesterday,” Hoda Kotb said during Monday’s segment. “She said, ‘This is not a tragedy.’ I was holding her hand, and she said, ‘A 4-year-old girl having cancer is a tragedy. Frank lived to be almost 85.’ She said, ‘He lived an incredible life, has an incredible family, had an incredible legacy.’ She said, ‘His life is a triumph.’”
This is such a testament to Kathie Lee Gifford’s strong Christian faith. She has never hidden that faith from her TV fans, and it’s clear she not only preaches it, she’s lives it, too. It is clearly helping her broken heart in light of Frank’s sudden death.
Hoda Kotb shared her sentiments with Kathie Lee Gifford and the rest of Frank Gifford’s family via social media.
This is how I will remember #frankgifford — always making us laugh. But today I am heartbroken — love u klg xoxo pic.twitter.com/ro4qYwynY0
— Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) August 9, 2015
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager remembered Frank Gifford in a loving tribute during Today’s fourth hour Monday.
Today, we lost a member of the 4th Hour family. Rest in peace, Frank Gifford. Our prayers are with @KathieLGifford. pic.twitter.com/WZIZKnKtKJ
— TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) August 9, 2015
Thank you Hoda and Jenna for your love and beautiful tribute to Frank. I'm in tears.
— Kathie Lee Gifford (@KathieLGifford) August 10, 2015
Kendall Jenner remembered her godfather via social media, too.
very sad day. Rest in Peace to my Godfather. The legend, Frank Gifford.
— Kendall (@KendallJenner) August 9, 2015
Kathie Lee Gifford will no doubt lean on friends like Hoda Kotb and more in the days to come. Christian faith is in no way an indication of no suffering. It simply allows Kathie Lee to know that Frank is resting comfortably and peacefully in the arms of her savior.
May Kathie Lee Gifford continue to find strength and peace in her faith in the coming difficult days.