Jay Cassario

Saying Goodbye The relationship I had with my grandfather was unique. He was a best friend, someone I admired, and a man that inspired me to live my life the way I wanted to live it. There was no one like him that I’ve ever met, and because of that, I would drive 5 hours to his house in the mountains of PA to spend 3-4 days at a shot with him. I did that for 20 plus years. They were some of the best memories that I have. Some of the best times I’ve ever had. While I knew he wouldn’t live forever, I thought for sure he had at least a few more year in him. Yesterday, I made that 5 hour drive up to see him again, just this time it was to say good bye. Besides when my Mom passed 6 years ago, his daughter, yesterday was the toughest day of my life. This right here is one of the most special photos I’ve ever taken, and one that I will cherish forever. It was the one and only time I brought my son Luke up to meet my grandfather. A lot of you know why this is so special to me, but for those who don’t, just know that this is everything to me. My mother never got to meet my son, getting to introduce him to my grandfather and capture this image with him laughing makes this the most “epic” photo I’ve ever taken. Whether it was taken with a cell phone, a cheap point and shoot, or a Leica M which I carry everywhere.... it didn’t matter. Don’t ever miss out on capturing moments like these. My grandfather hated his photo being taken, yet he seen me taking this, which makes me think that he knew just how important this was to me.... and would be to me one day. . . . . . . . . . #memories #sayinggoodbye #rip #family #capturingmoments #leica #leicacamerausa #leicam