I Got A Book That Had A Family Photo In It

United States
May 23, 2012 5:24am CST
i went to a "curb alert" which is what craigslist calls people that put out to the curb their left over yard sale items or anything they want to get rid of for free. well this was one that was after a yard sale and everything there was free and i had grabbed a book to later discover that it had a family photo in it. its an old school/technology printed digital photo thats faded badly and the family looks unhappy and the whole thing just creepy. my question is should i try to return it to the family? i wouldnt want to knock on their door since i dont know them and who knows if they would open a card they dont recognize the sender from. i keep tossing back and forth in my head that it could be just trash to them since it was unkept and in a book or it could be a cherished memory etc. just because i find it creepy and unhappy doesnt mean it is to them. so would you return it? would you knock on their door? mail it? or just throw it away?
1 person likes this
9 responses
• United States
24 May 12
I think I would personally return it if it wasn't too far away. Keepsakes like photos are really important to people and I sure they would be very grateful to have it back.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
24 May 12
Take it back to them might havve been a very old pic. that they forgot got put in the book and might have been looking for it I hate losin g Picture
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@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
23 May 12
either put it in an envelope and mail or just write them a note and mail telling them about it. if they dont want it, after a while of no answer, just dump it. then you wont feel bad,
1 person likes this
• Philippines
23 May 12
hi there! for me, i'd rather throw it instead of keeping a picture that scares the hell out of me. seriously, if it was of great importance to them or to the owner, they'd probably keep that picture in a safe place regardless of how it sad they look at the picture. i guess the owner of that picture didn't seem to care at all, putting it in a book, serving as a bookmark or whatsoever. well the problem is, this is MY opinion. for you, i don't know it really depends on you. it's very kind for you to keep it or more if you try to give it back to the owner. it's for you to decide my friend.
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@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
23 May 12
I feel that you should return it as the photo may be something that is precious with that family. Even if it was not as what we thought of it, there is no harm made. But if it were really a very important thing for them, you would have brought something wonderful to a family which all that you need to do is just to hand the photo back. Do it. Send it back. You will be happy with yourself for what you do.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
23 May 12
Hello, if I were in your situation I would return it if it wouldn't be too much of a hassle. Because we never know, there are some people who gives important to family pictures such as that. You might make them happy if you return it to them.
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@smacksman (6053)
23 May 12
I would put it in a transparent folder, knock on the door one evening when they might be home and introduce yourself. Tell the whole storey and hand them the photo. AND SMILE!!! - very important when starting a conversation with someone new! You never know, you might start a lasting friendship and that is always valuable. If they are not at home then the transparent folder will show that it is not a bomb!
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Jun 12
hi moonlitmagichild oh do put it in an envelope knock on their door and explain what you have told us. I am sure they might really want the picture to add to their family tree.since you know their name this to me wou d be the best way to do it and if they do not want it, thats up to t hem, you did the right thing.they have no right getting upset with you as you went to the trouble of giving it back to them.
@512771751 (1096)
• China
27 Jun 12
If I were you, I will try my best to return it to his owner. After these tries I don't find the owner, I will throw it away. hehe