Welcome back to Milkweed & Monarchs, where stories bloom with resilience, connection, and the quiet power of transformation. I’m your host, Dawn Clem.

Today’s episode is a tribute—raw, personal, and deeply human. It’s about my Aunt Sue: a woman whose life was stitched together with compassion, quiet strength, and an unwavering devotion to others. From her years as a social worker to her porch-side coffee chats with my mom, Aunt Sue embodied the kind of everyday grace that often goes unnoticed—but never unfelt.

This story isn’t just about memory. It’s about the heartbreak of loss, the frustration of bureaucracy, and the ache of not being able to say goodbye the way we hoped. It’s also about love—the kind that persists through distance, silence, and even death.

So settle in. This one’s for Aunt Sue, and for anyone who’s ever tried to honor someone they loved in a world that didn’t make it easy.