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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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 Posted: Apr 06, 2022 15:56 Post subject: A very dear memory. |
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This specimen carries with it a very dear memory.
About 20 years ago I went to Romania to visit miners to purchase minerals.
I was in the Cavnic countryside, in a miner's house, examining his pieces. Concluded the purchase I said goodbye and went out.
A few steps away, a girl of about 10, who seemed to be waiting for me, approached me showing me a tray adorned with a worn embroidered cloth on which a dozen almost insignificant minerals were arranged.
The little girl was very beautiful despite one eye marred by a congenital malformation. (I later learned that she was fatherless and that her mother was doing the humblest jobs to support the family).
I couldn't disappoint her.
I complimented her on her little treasure and I asked her how she got it. She replied that the miners in the neighborhood gave her a few pieces from time to time (a way to help the family by taking advantage of mining tourism).
So I chose this gypsum from the tray and handed her a 1.000.000 lei banknote (roughly the equivalent of 50 USD).
I will never forget the joy that she emanated from her only blue eye as she said "multumesc, multumesc (thanks)" and she ran home screaming "Mamà, mamà, un milion!".(what mum could barely earn in a month).
Of course, this gypsum is one of my favorite specimens.
Every time I think back to this scene I can't help but be moved and I ask myself:
"Who knows if the little girl with only one blue eye is happy today?"
| Mineral: | Gypsum |
| Locality: | | Cavnic mining area, Cavnic, Maramures, Romania |  |
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| Dimensions: | 81 x 65 mm |
| Description: |
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Michele Weisberg
Joined: 10 Sep 2016
Posts: 2
Location: Lexington
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| Posted: Apr 06, 2022 16:36 Post subject: Re: A very dear memory. |
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| Thank you for sharing this wonderful story!
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Volkmar Stingl
Joined: 23 Sep 2012
Posts: 905
Location: Innsbruck
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| Posted: Apr 06, 2022 22:59 Post subject: Re: A very dear memory. |
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Sante, I love this story. These are the moments you will never forget!
Volkmar
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Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4173
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Apr 07, 2022 04:14 Post subject: Re: A very dear memory. |
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Sante, this is such a wonderful story, a story beyond crystals and mining, just a wonderful moment in a world full of bad things! I think the "million" was a perfect investment and though you may own better specimens - this one is for sure one of the most valuable!
Best regards
Tobi
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Chris Rayburn
Joined: 07 Oct 2013
Posts: 66
Location: Arvada, Colorado
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| Posted: Apr 07, 2022 07:09 Post subject: Re: A very dear memory. |
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| A beautiful story, Sante. Thank you.
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Kevin Schofield
Joined: 05 Jan 2018
Posts: 163
Location: Beacon NY
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| Posted: Apr 07, 2022 08:00 Post subject: Re: A very dear memory. |
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Hi Santi,
I suspect that for many of us our mineral collections carry a freight of happy memories from when they were collected/found/purchased...but this piece (which isn't half bad btw!) is a true treasure!
_________________
Veni, Vidi, Emi |
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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| Posted: Apr 08, 2022 12:24 Post subject: Re: A very dear memory. |
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Michele (an Italian name...?!?), thank you for your kind comment.
Volkmar, thank you. I can confirm that it was one of the most exciting moments in my career as a collector.
Tobi, thank you for your friendly words. Yes, it was a good "investment" and I'm sorry I couldn't invest more.
Chris, it is I who thank you for your attention.
Kevin, thank you for your kind words. Yes, as I said, this piece is very dear to me.
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