Hoda Kotb Reveals Today Show Christmas Card — Emotionally Notes Al Roker’s Absence

Hoda Kotb became emotional Monday as she revealed the new Today show Christmas card. The host pointed out that one member of the team was missing from the group shot.

The Today team kicked off the week before Christmas, sharing their favorite holiday family moments. Carson Daly, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Hoda all shared personal memories before Hoda revealed the show’s card for 2022. The photo featured Hoda smiling and waving and Savannah holding a sign that read—“Happy Holidays.” Craig and Carson were snapped on opposite sides of the co-anchors. Beloved weatherman, Al Roker, was noticeably absent from the upbeat group pic.

“This card is going to the one, the only, the one who is not in these pictures but should be in the center, Al Roker,” Hoda announced. “We’ve got our card, we’re going to stick it in there, and we’re going to put it in the mail for Al because he’s the one that holds us together.”

Al, 68, has been working to recover from a month-long hospitalization, after being diagnosed with blood clots in his legs and lungs. He shared a health update over the weekend, on Instagram.

Al posted new pics on the platform surrounded by his wife, Deborah Roberts, and their two adult children, daughter Leila, 24, and 20-year-old son Nick. Al noted that he was “thankful” that he was healthy enough to decorate the family Christmas tree. The snaps featured one of the happy groups sitting under the tree with the family dog. 

He captioned the photos—“So thankful to be well enough to decorate the Roker Family Christmas tree.”

Well-wishers flooded the post’s comment section to cheer the weatherman on to good health.

One follower wrote—“This made my night! Seeing you all together warms my heart. One day at a time with Al’s health journey back! Slow and steady wins the race!” 

Another fan said—“Very happy for you and your family your health is your wealth.”

A third chimed in—“Beautiful family!! Glad you’re feeling better Al!”

The TV personality, who was hospitalized twice in the last month, recently appeared on Today virtually, to speak about his bumpy recovery.

“You lose a certain amount of muscle mass for every week you’re in the hospital and I was in the hospital for four weeks,” he shared.

Al added—“So there is a certain amount of weakness. I’m doing physical therapy every day, and occupational therapy. I’ve got to get my strength back.”

Al revealed that he had to push back a knee replacement surgery that was scheduled for January, due to his recovery. 

He continued—“But I feel good. I feel strong. Every day is a little better than the last, and I made dinner last night.”

Al added—“I just feel like there’s gonna be a little bit of a slog. But there are people who have to deal with a lot more with a lot fewer resources. I’m very fortunate and very blessed to have the resources.”

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