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Finding Love Through ALS | Lisa Valentine Clark | #140
Manage episode 498245189 series 3623291
Lisa Valentine Clark shares her extraordinary journey of love and resilience through her husband Christopher's battle with ALS, offering profound insights on how their marriage was strengthened through humor, sacrifice, and intentionally seeking joy amid terminal illness.
• Starting as friends performing in a comedy play at BYU—Lisa as a chicken, Christopher as Satan—created a foundation of laughter and friendship for their 25-year marriage
• Humor played a crucial role in their relationship, making each other laugh even through the darkest moments
• When Christopher was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, Lisa describes entering "go time" mode, committing fully to caregiving while he continued creating art until his final days
• During COVID lockdown, Christopher invited friends to entertain him through their living room window, creating unexpected moments of connection and joy
• The diagnosis shifted their marriage from equitable to sacrificial, with Lisa caring for Christopher and him focusing on leaving meaningful legacies for her and their five children
• Christopher orchestrated a surprise 25th wedding anniversary celebration two days before his death, demonstrating his outward focus even when dying
• Lisa emphasizes loyalty to friendship as the key to a stronger marriage—seeing your spouse as your best friend and being their biggest cheerleader
• Being fully present in the moment allowed them to find unexpected joy even during the most difficult circumstances
• Lisa's advice for couples facing health challenges: "Go all in" on caregiving without worrying about consequences
• For those who have lost someone: "You don't honor love by ceasing to exist—you honor it by loving, creating and living"
Listen to Lisa's podcasts, The Lisa Show and Council of Moms, wherever you get your podcasts.
Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast
Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:
Strongermarriage.org
Podcast.stongermarriage.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/
Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579
Dr. Dave Schramm:
Dr. Liz Hale:
Chapters
1. Introduction to Lisa Valentine Clark (00:00:00)
2. Welcome Lisa Clark (00:01:13)
3. Lisa Meets Christopher (00:02:06)
4. Was Humor a big part of your relationship? (00:04:00)
5. Lisa's Experience with Her Husband's ALS (00:05:52)
6. The Live Show Christopher Requested (00:07:45)
7. Navigating the early years of Marriage (00:13:48)
8. [Ad] Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast (00:14:26)
9. (Cont.) Navigating the early years of Marriage (00:15:04)
10. Focusing on the friendship and copping with so much left to say (00:23:56)
11. How did you respond to the diagnosis and how did it affect your marriage? (00:25:43)
12. How did you take care of yourself through all of this? (00:33:59)
13. How did you parent your children through this? (00:35:24)
14. How did Christ return the favor for all your care? (00:38:25)
15. How did you show up every day? (00:43:32)
16. How did you manage going all in during this tragedy? (00:49:54)
17. What advice do you have for others facing similar circumstances? (00:52:51)
18. Finding Joy & Peace during times of crisis (00:55:17)
19. Gratitude vs Resentment (00:58:05)
20. What is the key to a stronger marriage connection? (00:59:27)
21. Lisa's Takeaway (00:59:59)
22. Liz's Takeaway (01:01:48)
23. Dave's Takeaway (01:02:22)
24. Lisa's Resources (01:03:36)
144 episodes
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