Dear Grandpa,

This is my first letter. It took me so long because I tend to overthink things. I don’t know who I got that from. I need things to be perfect; otherwise it means I’m a failure.

I never met you, but my aunts and mom say I remind them of you. I don’t know how accurate that statement is, but I like to think it’s true. From whatever stories and pictures I can collect about you, there are definitely at least some similarities.

The most obvious similarity being photography. I think you took it more seriously than I ever did. I think we love it on the same level, but I never reached your level of practice for whatever reason.

I have been scanning all of your old photos and digitizing film reels. It feels like a trip through a time machine. A surreal experience where you feel nostalgic for something you never actually lived through. I hope you are proud of me for attempting to preserve your work. If nothing else, I love you for every picture you took.

Warmly,

Tarek