Someone Please Help...

[T. Lynn]

I know this may sound stupid, but I lost a very important photo. I have this copy of it but didn't know if someone can help me salvage the photo part.

My grandfather passed away about 5 days after Christmas in 2001. I always displayed this last memory on top of my TV. Well, now it's missing. I remember having it about 3 weeks ago while cleaning. I don't know if it got mixed up in some paperwork and thrown away or what happened. If not, that's ok since I at least found this and should be greatful. I'm just so emotional right now and driving myself crazy...My DH keeps telling me to calm down & stop crying but I can't since it's so important to me!

I place this picture on my tree every year since he passed away (as you tell by the attached picture). Is there any way to fix this by cutting out the tree limbs and stuff? It wouldn't be the same but at least it would be something.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...I've tore my house apart twice and I don't think it's going to show up unless it's a miracle. I've searched everywhere.

 

[amid chaos]

Here is a very rough edit from Picasa. I'm sure someone with more editing experience can do a much better job.

 

[T. Lynn]

Here's what I've been trying to accomplish:

I wanted to try to keep the white around it so it still kinda looked liked the original, like 3x5 size or whatever that type of camera produced (instant camera size). It's also very speckled looking since it's a copy and then scanned. Is there anyway to fix that as well?

I'm still waiting for the miracle but I've looked EVERYWHERE...DD keeps telling me that it will be alright and when I die I will see him and can take another picture with him (she's only 6 - bless her heart).

 

[tiggerwannabe]

 

[tiggerwannabe]

~Better?~

 

[MICKEY88]

 

[ducklite]

Say a prayer to St. Anthony, the patron saint of missing items.

Anne

 

[T. Lynn]

I want to thank everyone for their help. I've saved them all on my computer. I've played around and did this as well. I have NO IDEA how I did it. I'm still trying to straighten the actual picture portion and trying to make it a little clearer. I did the second one with a frame so the actual picture doesn't look as bad. Maybe the frame takes away from it and you don't notice as much.

 

[T. Lynn]

I keep saying a prayer. It's seeming more and more hopeless as I looked everywhere...maybe, except for the place it is of course. I'm thinking it's with the trash man or was burned with some paperwork in the woodstove.

Again, "thanks" to everyone who is helping. I'm saving them and going to print them all off. See how they come out on photo paper and go from there. Little by little, I'm still checking places around the house. My DH keeps telling me it will turn up as he knows I wouldn't throw something like that away. Of course I wouldn't but with all the paperwork around here (from new printer, computer, etc), it may have gotten tossed in all the shuffle.

I normally find things by dreaming about them. I know, it seems weird.

Just wish I will dream about this picture and it will turn up. Just one of those sentamental things. Sorry for babling on...

 

[T. Lynn]

How did you manage to erase the tree branches (for future reference)?

I used a copy of yours to help me with mine since I couldn't figure out how to do that. Paint Shop is nice but there are just so many tools...

 

[Kelly Grannell]

T. Lynn,

kindly send me the full resolution picture, not the small file-size you posted on this thread to (e-mail address deleted)

I will try my best to do the same things as the rest of us have tried to do, but on top of that I will use Genuine Fractals 4.1 to make the picture file enlarged without losing the detail. I will also use Imagenomic Noiseware to reduce the grain and noise and Alien Skin Image Doctor to try to get rid of the tree branches.

Hope I can help.

 

[T. Lynn]

Thanks Kelly. I've sent the email with 3 attachments. I had to scan the original that I had and crop it. Not sure which one would be better so I sent what I had.

You guys are the best...I'm feeling so much better now. He was battling with cancer and for Christmas he didn't want any presents so I wrote a poem in his memory instead. I read it to him personally on xmas eve and he asked that I read it to the family on Christmas and at his funeral. It was the hardest thing I ever did. I want to share it with you so maybe you understand how much I loved him and how important the photo is. My family was so proud of this poem that they suprised me by putting it on the back of his tombstone as well. I was so touched!

-------------------------------------

(funeral speech)

This past Christmas, the only thing my Grandfather asked us for was our love. With that thought in mind, I decided to write a poem in his memory for family & friends, to express my love. When loved ones pass away suddenly, there are so many things you wish you had the chance to say. Our family had that chance and it was the HARDEST thing in the world! The only comfort is knowing that he also had the opportunity to tell us how much he loved us and wanted our hearts to mend as he knew he would be in good hands & going to a better place.

As part of my way of saying "goodbye", I was able to share this poem with him on Christmas Eve and I would like to share it with all of you here today...



This poem's a little different,
than it may appear.
As we honor a man,
so special and dear.

A husband, a father,
pap-pap to some.
A loved one and friend to others,
through the years he's become.

He's battled with cancer,
and God called his name.
Now up in sweet heaven,
our lives won't be the same.

When hearts are filled with sorrow,
there is little one can say.
For only time can console you,
when dear ones pass away.

We all have our stories,
some funny, some sad.
But the best of all,
is the precious time that we had.

Let's cherish the good times,
as we all shed some tears.
Our love is what he wanted,
as he's told us for years.

May the memory of my grandfather,
and all he meant to you,
Give us strength and courage,
and bring comfort and healing too.

You'll truly be missed, but NEVER forgotten,
so let us all pray,
"May God rest your soul,
as we will meet again someday…"

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Just received it, let me see what I can do with them.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Done, it's the best I can do with the tools I have and the picture you provided me. I've e-mailed it back to you. You should received it by now, if not yet, try checking the junk-mail bin. I've enlarged the picture so you can actually print it full sized at the original Polaroid size.

Cheers,
Kelly

 

[T. Lynn]

Nothing yet in inbox or junk/spam folder. Maybe it's still coming?

 

[T. Lynn]

Sorry, double post.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

It was rejected by your mailbox. I just woke up now and I'm trying to send it again. The file size is about 1.1 Mb.

 

[T. Lynn]

Got it. Maybe the dash in my email name had something to do with it. I use to have my email without the dash but I started getting so much junk mail and had to create a new address. Guess the old one is still getting junk mail (hehe).

Thanks!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

got the updated scan, I'll do it after I get back from my photoshoot.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

How did you manage to erase the tree branches (for future reference)?

I used a copy of yours to help me with mine since I couldn't figure out how to do that. Paint Shop is nice but there are just so many tools...

Cool! so you know...

I use Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business...

the cloning tool helped me to get rid of the branches.