It wasn't so much losing the wallet that upset Irene Tanaka's 85-year-old aunt. It was losing the photos she carried with her everywhere: favorite pictures of her husband, now deceased, a baby picture of her child and one of the last remaining photos of her mother.

Tanaka's aunt, who didn't want her name in the paper, lost the wallet in October somewhere at the Walmart in town, or maybe on the bus between Ala Moana and Salt Lake.

"While we took the necessary precautions to ensure that her identity and other things would be safe, she was distraught over the loss of the photos because memories cannot be replaced," Tanaka said in an e-mail.

One of the photos was of her husband in his uniform when they got married. They met and married in Okinawa when he was stationed there during the war.

"She often told me, 'Oh, he was so HANDSOME when young time — like movie star! Look now!' at which my uncle would grunt and snuggle deeper into his La-Z-Boy," Tanaka said. "I could tell that they loved each other, even when teasing like this."

Another, taken last year, showed their 50th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated in Las Vegas.

"My mom folded 10,000 cranes for them to wear as a lei, and they took a really nice photo together," Tanaka said. "In Vegas, my uncle was so proud to wear those leis. Aunty said that he was surprised when other Hawai'i folks noticed, and whispered 'Ey, look! 50th anniversary!' It's one of her favorite memories of him."

Shortly after that happy trip, her husband died.

"My aunt was devastated by his passing, and still mourns him — every Sunday she and my cousin go to visit him at Punchbowl cemetery, and she always spends some time just talking story to him," Tanaka said. "My aunt tells me that she and my uncle had 50-plus years — 50-plus years of good, bad, worrisome, fun, loving years."

It seemed the tangible memories of those milestones in a marriage were lost forever.

Then, the most improbable thing happened. Three envelopes covered with many stamps arrived in the mail. Inside were all the photos and cards from the wallet. No cash, but that's OK. All that mattered were those pictures. There was no return address, no way to say thank you, just what Tanaka described as "shaky handwriting" and a name, Stanley. Her aunt says it's like Santa knew what she really wanted for Christmas. Tanaka hopes Stanley knows they're grateful.

"Thank you, Stanley, and Merry Christmas to you," Tanaka said. "I hope that Santa brings you what you hold dear to your heart as well."