Amanda Kloots Offers Erika Kirk Solace and a Message of Hope Through Shared Grief
Having experienced the early loss of her spouse, Amanda Kloots extends a message of solace and optimism to Charlie Kirk’s grieving wife, Erika Kirk.
An exclusive preview from Us Weekly for the September 23 installment of host Richard Taite’s “We’re Out of Time” podcast reveals Kloots, 43, recalling guidance offered by the relatives of her deceased husband, Nick Cordero.
“Nick’s mother, my mother-in-law who has passed, advised me while Nick was hospitalized, saying, ‘[Your son] Elvis will be your salvation, and his daily smile will inspire you to embrace life.’ This holds true,” Kloots revealed in the clip. “And that’s the counsel I’d impart to [Erika] — that your children signify your reason for being.”
Cordero, who was 41 and fathered Elvis, now 6, with Kloots, passed away in July 2020 due to complications from coronavirus.
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Kloots stated that there was a period where she found herself pondering her future with more uncertainties than certainties.
“One experiences a phase questioning, ‘What is my reason for existence? Why did this occur?’” she remembered. “I vowed to Nick upon his death, ‘I will be the most devoted mother to our child. I will unveil the world to [him].’”
Tears welled up in Kloots' eyes during the September 17 recording of the podcast, a date coinciding with her deceased husband’s birthday.
“It is a challenging day, yet I must say, you are an excellent mother,” Taite assured his interviewee. “It’s evident. You are deeply engaged. He represents everything to you, and you have paid tribute to this man. I am confident he would be exceptionally proud. Of that, I have no doubt.”
That weekend, Charlie was commemorated at a public remembrance ceremony held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
During the proceedings, Erika, 36, delivered a poignant tribute for her deceased spouse. At a specific moment in her address, the mother of two stated her forgiveness for her husband’s assailant.
"I extend my forgiveness to him because it aligns with Christ's actions, and it's what Charlie himself would have done," she uttered, stifling tears. “Hate is not the response to hate. The gospel teaches us that the answer is always love. Love for our adversaries and love for those who oppress us.”
Charlie, 31, died from a gunshot wound on September 10 while at a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
Tyler Robinson is currently charged with Charlie's shooting and remains incarcerated at the Utah County Jail with no possibility of bail.
As Erika endeavors to progress, Kloots appreciates having discovered solace and fresh connections with fellow widows.
“I was just en route, speaking with one of my close friends who is also a widow, and I messaged her,” Kloots recounted. “I asked, ‘Are birthdays among your most difficult days?’ She responded, ‘Absolutely, yes.’ And I thought, ‘Alright, so I’m not alone in this.’ I am scheduled to meet another new widow tomorrow. She recently lost her husband a few weeks prior. We’ll be going for a stroll. I make an effort to accompany widows on walks. I refer to them as ‘widow walks.’”
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If Kloots could choose, a different term would exist for a woman who has suffered the death of her husband and remains unmarried.
“The term ‘widow’ originates from a Greek word signifying sorrowful and isolated,” she explained. “Every widow I encounter, yes, you experience sadness. You feel lonely, yet you are also remarkably strong and capable of recovery. You must reclaim your life. Consequently, I redefined it with the word ‘rennovar,’ which denotes ‘advancing with vigor.’”
For further insights from Kloots, tune into the complete “We're Out of Time” podcast episode upon its release on Tuesday, September 23 at 12 p.m. PT, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
