Welcome to the Commune podcast. My name is Jeff Krasno. Okay, so my dad passed away yesterday,

and I've been walking in the canyon for much of the day.

And I'm doing okay.

I've had a lot of time to pre-greave, I suppose, to metabolize the grief in advance.

But that doesn't mean it's not hitting me.

I find myself intermittently fine, almost stoic, and then suddenly irrationally sobbing. It's not linear. My dad's morbidity was unfortunately rather distended, so I did know this day was coming,

but that doesn't mean I was totally ready for it.

I know that he died pain-free, or not frustration-free, I don't think, but pain-free, and that's a blessing.

You know, relationships with parents are complicated, and mine was certainly no different.

But today, I find myself remembering the best parts of my dad and the rapport that we shared for 55 years. So since his passing, I've received literally

hundreds of texts from friends. And it's really reminding me of how big of an influence my

dad had on so many people's lives. And he was just really involved with so many of my friends

and their personal and professional lives. He genuinely cared about other people. And many of these

texts also referenced people's own loss and pain.

And that is making me think about middle age and how rife it is with transitions and letting go.

And I truly believe it's easier to heal when emotions are shared. So I'm recording this extemporaneous episode here,

both in reverence and in remembrance of my dad.

And I admit it's a little selfish,

as it is my way of processing.

But if you're going through a transition in your life,

maybe it helps you feel a little less alone.

So when I was a wee lad,

...