Thanks for sharing this story. The care you feel for him comes through strongly in your comment. I appreciate being able to have a small insight into the life of one Iranian person; it’s not much, but I’ve found this kind of thing to be a helpful way to anchor my concern around the current conflict in compassion for my fellow humans, rather than disconnected geopolitics.

I think this story will stick with me. I wonder whether the weight of your worry will feel a little lighter now that you’re not the only person carrying it. I hope he and his family are doing okay. I hope he is able to someday see a world where his art can reach more people like you.