Once on vacation, I found a camera hanging by its string handle from the back of a bathroom door. What do you do with it? Step out of the bathroom and say, "Who lost a camera?" and expect that its rightful owner is the person who steps up to claim it?

Since it was decades ago that this occured, I don't know if the photographer ever got it back. It was obvious that the cheapo point-and-shooter likely belonged to a kid, so I left it with the people at the front gate of the re-enactment place we were at in Virginia (I think) and hoped for the best. Who knows if the person looked for it there or whether the people I left it with absconded with it or simply threw it away.

About six years ago, I left a camera on a beach in the Caribbean (as best as I can figure) and, of course, I never saw it again. It would have been nice to have the pictures of said vacation. Back in the days of 35mm, I was always told to make the first picture I took on each roll of film be of a piece of paper with my name and address on it. Then, if someone found (or stole) the camera and had a conscience they might (a) develop the film and (b) mail me the photos. Well, that never happened.

Now, with the technology wheel continuing to turn, I came across a Web site where pictures from found cameras can be posted and the owners can reconnect with their memories. One such posting shows a photo with a tagline saying, "We found this camera at Valley Fair in Shakopee, Minnesota on June 15th 2008. It was left at the bumper cars." (http://ifoundyourcamera.blogspot.com:80/2008/07/camera-found-shakopee-mn.html)

And, there you have it, honesty right here in our backyard.

Then there's the story of a not-so-honest person preying on the family of a sick child.

I have written many stories about little Sidney Markie of Shakopee, who is in Holtz Children's Hospital in Miami, Fla., recovering from a seven-organ transplant. Her mom, Courtney Murray, is in Miami and is keeping friends and family connected via an online journal at www.cotaforsidneym.com, where she also regulary posts pictures to let people back home see how Sidney is growing and healing. She's chronicled her daughter's journey with almost daily photos but, for now, the photos have stopped.

That's right, while Courtney was away from the hospital, someone took her digital camera right out of her daughter's room. Cheryl Murray, Sidney's grandmother and Courtney's mom, said having the camera "has been a lifeline for all of us."

But, with money being tight for the family and the contributions from the Children's Organ Transplant Association fund only being used for Sidney's uninsured medical costs and the cost of Courtney's temporary apartment in Miami, the family is hoping that someone will step up and help them keep that lifeline going.

Anyone who is willing to get a camera back in Courtney's hands so she can continue to chronicle Sidney's journey is asked to contact Cheryl at (612) 963-6863 or Cheryl.Murray@detronics.com.