Photo © 2007 Ana YturraldeFor centuries, people has been attracted by precious metals. They meant power and happiness. The best-known precious metals are gold and silver and, for somebody that never heard about them, they are just "stones".
There is a passage in the bible that mentions that some wise men travelled to bring some precious metals to the Christ Child. But the chosen ones where gold, frankincense and myrrh. Only gold is a stone. The other two are aromatic resins used in incense and perfumes... precious essences.
A metal -or essence- is deemed to be precious if it is rare. And, despite of what people think, its monetary value is not important. It is the value the person places on the essence what is important.
My precious essences are simple but rare: a true kiss, a warm hug, a deep and sincere look in the eyes, a tender caress and a honest smile. Whoever has any of those is a rich person.
I'm glad that this picture is the selected one for the book's cover of the 2008 annual report about migrations and integration. One of those rare and precious essences of this world.
