Photographer Tom Hussey was speaking with a WWII veteran when the man said something that stuck with him forever.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be 80,” the vet said. “I feel like I just came back from the war. I look in the mirror and I see this guy.”

Inspired by the man’s words, Hussey began working on a photo series called “Reflections of The Past” which shows elderly people staring pensively at reflections of their younger selves.

The award-winning photos are beautiful and poignant and remind us to treat life like the precious gift it is.

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See more of Hussey’s stunning photos at Digital Synopsis.