Milkweed & Monarchs

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share a lighthearted story about unexpected companionship, mystery, and the quirks of a mischievous pet. In the fall of 2014, I found myself navigating the bittersweet transition of becoming an empty nester. My youngest daughter had just left for college, and the house felt quieter than ever. That’s when fate—or perhaps sheer coinciden...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share a story that brings together love, tradition, and the lasting impact of holiday memories. Christmas has always been a time of reflection for me, especially when I think about my mother, Betty. She adored the holiday, filling our home with warmth, decorations, and the kind of joy that made every Christmas feel magical. Even when l...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to one of my favorite times of the year—fall. Growing up in Michigan, I cherished the crisp air, the changing leaves, and the traditions that made autumn special. Halloween was a highlight, filled with simple joys—homemade popcorn balls, caramel apples, and the excitement of filling pillowcases with candy. It was a time b...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I continue the story of how I met my husband, Craig. In the last episode, I shared how I moved into his home, rearranged everything—including his dishes—and unknowingly set the stage for something unexpected. What started as a simple roommate arrangement soon evolved into something deeper. Craig, an engineer with long work hours, appreci...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs ! I'm Dawn Klem, and today, I’m sharing the story of how I met my husband—from my perspective. Next time, you’ll hear the story from his point of view. But before we get to that moment, I want to take you back to my early days in Portland, Maine. It was a time of transition, self-discovery, and new beginnings. After moving into my own apartment, I found myself trul...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs ! I'm Dawn Klem, and today, I’m sharing a story about resilience, change, and the unexpected twists that shape our lives. Thirty years ago, I married my husband, I posted a handmade wedding invitation—a reminder of a milestone anniversary. That simple post sparked a flood of questions: How did you meet your husband? It’s a story worth telling, but before I can shar...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs ! I'm Dawn Klem, and today, we’re continuing the story of my dad, Nicholas Ferro—a man whose resilience shaped not only his own life but mine as well. In part one, we explored his difficult childhood, the loss of his mother, and the struggles he faced growing up. Now, in part two, we follow his journey into adulthood—his decision to enlist in the Army during World...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs ! I'm Dawn Klem, and today, we’re diving into part two of my unforgettable year in Iceland—a story of unexpected challenges, personal growth, and a moment that forever changed my perspective. If you listened to part one, you know my time in Iceland was full of adventure—from breathtaking landscapes to friendships that shaped my journey. But not every experience was...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs ! I'm Dawn Klem, and today, I’m sharing a deeply personal story—one that shaped my understanding of resilience, family, and the weight of history. This episode is about my dad, Nicholas. He was a force in my life, a man who carried the scars of a difficult childhood and turned them into strength. His story begins in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his father—my grand...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs ! I'm Dawn Klem, and today, I’m taking you on a journey to a place that changed my life—an unexpected adventure in the land of fire and ice. In the summer of 1980, I learned that my final year as an enlisted corpsman would be spent overseas. While my friends scrambled for warm, tropical assignments, I found myself captivated by one particular destination: Iceland....

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs ! I'm Dawn Klem, and today, I'm sharing a story that taught me a lesson I'll carry for life. It's about Foster—a patient I met while working as a nurse on a small medical-surgical unit at Cape Cod Hospital. When I first encountered Foster, he was angry—yelling, frustrated, and unsettled. But as I got to know him, I realized that beneath the frustration was somethin...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs ! I'm Dawn Klem, and today, I’m taking you on a journey back to one of the happiest memories of my life—a ride through the breathtaking landscapes of Mexico that tested my endurance, surprised me in unexpected ways, and left me with a story worth telling. Growing up, I was never much of an athlete. My mom’s laughter at my cartwheel attempts and my dad’s plea to end...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to a moment that tested my instincts, my training, and my ability to stay calm under pressure. In my second year in San Diego, I had started to branch out, forming friendships with colleagues from the hospital. One of our favorite weekend activities was horseback riding in the mountains—an escape from the intensity of our...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I reflect on the final year of my time at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego—before I was stationed overseas. This episode is about three patients who profoundly shaped my understanding of healthcare, compassion, and dignity. Chance, a kind and soft-spoken man, taught me a painful lesson about judgment when I failed to recognize the seve...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to my first Christmas away from home—a holiday that could have been lonely but turned into one of the most memorable experiences of my life. In 1981, I was stationed at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, navigating the challenges of military life. My roommate, Cindy, had just left after a traumatic event, and I found mys...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to the final chapter of my first year in the Navy—when my dear friend Cindy made the cross-country journey from Hillsdale to San Diego to live with me. Her arrival transformed my small bungalow into a true home. With blankets, dishes, and thoughtful touches, Cindy and her mother helped create a space that felt warm and we...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share a story that challenges our understanding of hope, resilience, and the mysteries of the human spirit. This episode features Unresponsive , the third story gifted to me by my patient, Cindy. It follows Dr. Megan Oxley, an ICU physician faced with a heartbreaking case—a young man named Marvin, left unresponsive after a prolonged se...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share a deeply personal story—one that intertwines love, loss, and the quiet ways in which memories shape us. This episode centers on Cindy, a patient whose intelligence and creativity shone through even in the midst of her cancer treatment. Writing became her refuge, a way to process the uncertainty she faced. Over the years, she gift...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to a pivotal moment in my early Navy days—the transition from the barracks, or as I called it, “the dungeon,” to a small bungalow with two fellow hospital corpsmen. Susan, Cindy, and I were eager to escape the barracks, but moving wasn’t as simple as we’d hoped. With only one car between us—and an unwilling driver—Cindy a...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I share a story about unexpected connections, divine moments, and the quiet ways in which kindness shapes our lives. In 2017, I met Cindy—an accomplished pianist, swimmer, engineer, and cybersecurity specialist—just after her brain tumor surgery. Our bond grew as she navigated treatment with strength and thoughtfulness, always asking dee...

Welcome back to Milkweed and Monarchs . I’m Dawn Klem, and today, we explore the profound impact of support—how a simple act of kindness can transform someone’s journey. At 19, I stepped into the unfamiliar world of the Navy. Boot camp was tough, but it was only the beginning. When I arrived at my first duty station in San Diego, I was alone, exhausted, and carrying the weight of uncertainty. I ha...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs with your host Dawn Klem,  where we explore life's unexpected journeys with honesty and compassion. Today, I share the remarkable story of my patient and dear friend, David, who defied expectations after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at 27. He navigated his illness with unwavering independence, researching treatments and traveling across the country fo...

Welcome back to Milkweed and Monarchs! I’m your host, Dawn Klem, and today, I want to talk about closure—the kind that comes unexpectedly, through difficult conversations, through loss, and sometimes, even in ways we can’t explain. There are moments in life that change us forever. Moments that push us to our limits, that test our strength, and that make us question what we thought we knew. For me,...

Welcome back to Milkweed and Monarchs! I’m your host, Dawn Klem, and today’s episode is a deeply personal one—it’s about the power of connection. Have you ever felt like you didn’t quite belong? Like you were searching for a place where you could feel seen, understood, and valued? That’s exactly what Chris was searching for. When I first met him, his story was one of struggle—of loss, hardship, an...

Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs! I’m your host, Dawn Klem, and today’s episode is about an unexpected encounter that changed the way I see resilience, kindness, and human connection. Sometimes, life surprises us with the people we meet—individuals whose strength, wisdom, and generosity leave a lasting imprint on our hearts. Years ago, I met a man who embodied perseverance in the face of immense c...