WTP: Sometimes the owner doesn’t come. Sometimes, imho, it is possible that you were put in charge of eventually dropping that thing off to Goodwill or whatever and it becoming someone else’s property. I know that what I have now is what is mine for a reason.
It really hurts sometimes to lose something. I cries over losing a different lanyard months ago. If someone found it and returned it to me, I would have felt like a lottery winner.
But I realized that Hashem gave me the opportunity to let go of this sentimental item (because if I wasn’t so personally attached to the gift, it wouldn’t have been something to cry over).
If someone else has it now, I would want that person to keep it and make good use of it. Or give it to someone else.
Reminds me of yesterday. I found a cane at Costco in the dish detergent/sponges aisle. It was right by the pharmacy line. Should I leave it there? Will the person come back to this spot? I guess this was easier because I ended up taking it to the manager’s desk for the lost and found. I still debated on whether to leave it there or not. What if the person was still shopping and would panic without it? Etc.
It depends in each case on a multitude of factors.
Really please ask Hashem for clarity.