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| 15 |

forgiveness

homeless woman in tenderloin, san francisco, april 2006

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homeless theresa sitting on sidewalk; born in indianapolis and raised in thousand oaks, ca.

theresa will talk and then start singing a song (somewhere over the rainbow, candle in the wind, ...). or she'll recite a poem about jesus and faith. or she'll heckle a passerby.

theresa's father was a soldier who cheated on his wife such that his daughter (theresa) was born with gonorrhea. she says she was “born dead." she was blind and her legs were deformed. while the blindess was short lived, her legs are still in bad shape despite years in leg braces.

when theresa was about 6, her mother was shot in the head in a public bathroom for money.

"do you know what love is?" she asked.

"what is love?"

"love is forgiveness" she responded.

(4/16/06)

81 Flickr comments:

AbAberson says:

For her:

...posted 12/24/2007 6:54:53 PM

AbAberson says:

And have you offered her a sigareth or a cup of coffee? And went back to show her the photos and told her what all these comments told about her.
For me it is a shame this exsists, and that there are so many people in these circumstances.
Maybe you should give these photos to the people with the money and the politicians.

...posted 12/24/2007 6:49:39 PM

H_Chick says:

These are incredibly beautiful powerful studies of people.
The commentaries make them very stirring.
I could cry for that little 6 year old who lost her mother to a petty robbery.

...posted 9/19/2007 4:51:09 AM

serenamatthews says:

This photo is loved by Here in the Blue, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

...posted 6/8/2007 8:50:09 PM

Diego Patagónico says:

you're the best photographer ever!!!! I think I love you lol!
by the way, that woman looks like Anne-Frid from ABBA

...posted 5/2/2007 10:31:39 PM

Letting Go of Control says:

I've been looking through your amazing photographs and am continuely blown away with each shot. Thank you for taking the time to tell the stories that no one else cares to listen for and share. While this woman may be among the poorest and despised, she is richer than most with the knowledge of truth.

...posted 4/16/2007 9:01:08 PM

Påĺm†ŕèêҒяẻąҝ says:

all these homeless people have some kind of wise saying or belief...i think that comes with not having anything, people who have more are surrounded with things the want,, which i think taints the mind (if thats the right word to say) when u have nuthun u realize what your thankful for and wat u have already instaed of always wanting....

but let me claer things up a bit, im not saying people who are more fortunate are bad and souless or anything...many are generous and kind, but a mojority of people wouldnt give a damn

...posted 4/14/2007 4:46:40 AM

ROTANG says:

what a powerful story.
Having a story like that really makes the image so much more powerful.
You have done an amazing job

...posted 4/13/2007 3:11:35 AM

DJ Dad41 says:

Powerful.

...posted 2/25/2007 4:02:02 AM

gordon buttons says:

This is what makes photos worth looking at. You have made magic.

...posted 2/12/2007 9:07:22 AM

Lara May says:

Very beautiful

...posted 2/2/2007 12:23:56 PM

thewarpedreality says:

really thoughtful photos and heart-felt stories.. not sure how many have asked you this before.. and i don't mean to sound like some self-righteous pr*ck :-) .. looks like you sell these photos.. but do you pay these guys to take those pictures.. ?

...posted 1/14/2007 5:45:51 AM

Monic@ says:

I don't know what capture my heart more......the photo or the story. It's wonderful not just to be able to admire a portrait but also to learn someting about the person itself. It gave me a reason to think about the blessings that some of us have and give it for granted.

...posted 11/18/2006 6:16:46 PM

Bravo213 says:

I agree Marco Polo3...reminds me of "Madonna of the Streets."

...posted 10/20/2006 7:11:53 PM

marco polo3 says:

wonderful portrait. her head titled upwards along with her eyes portraying her past. very powerful.

...posted 10/20/2006 6:29:46 PM

Bravo213 says:

So very powerful. She portrayes something divine. "Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it for me."

...posted 10/11/2006 6:02:12 PM

little_stitcher says:

She looks like someones mum.

...posted 9/3/2006 9:52:00 PM

Gee8 says:

probably made her day for someone to put off a little time with her and for someone to hear her story and we think our life can be shit sometimes. this should make us humble and grateful. excellent photo and insight to what could be. thanks

...posted 9/3/2006 11:05:26 AM

youngdoo says:

thanks for sharing - sharing the beautiful photo and a story makes me think.

...posted 7/30/2006 3:27:28 PM

David Bridger says:

Look at the haunting trusting beauty in her eyes!

...posted 7/15/2006 9:41:50 PM

sphnx~ says:

She must haver suffered so much, and still she wants to forgive...
Wow, I admire her... and you too for taking this wonderful photos and telling us their stories!
Thank you :)

...posted 7/4/2006 9:13:32 PM

eyewash says:

Am humbled & simultaneously blown away!

...posted 5/26/2006 8:44:09 PM

glen_hentz says:

This photo, along with your heartfelt effort to tell her story, moved me to tears. Thank you for using your gift in such a way.

...posted 5/18/2006 8:48:49 PM

Fin_Photo says:

Beautiful!

...posted 5/14/2006 1:25:26 PM

jorgempf says:

what it hurts first is the photo, and then of course is the story. this is already in her eyes, we just can´t tell the details, and after that i find very interesting the comments. usualy i see this kind of photos with no comments because we just dont know what to say. when i fill i need to say something so badly i use to leave a single "!" like AndroidParanoid made above. I havent read all this comments, but impressed me how came up all this, i guess the first is the difficult part, after that is some how less difficult. I have to highlight the one from sparrowsinging (although i don't know if i like it or not) inspired some how in it i thought i could say something, but i think i was wrong, i'll say just this: (!)

...posted 5/14/2006 12:49:55 PM

Mernas says:

very powerful..

...posted 5/13/2006 5:19:31 PM

Roochster says:

-------------------------------------------------
!!! THE FACE !!!
Please add this exceptional image to:
www.flickr.com/groups/theface/
-------------------------------------------------

...posted 5/7/2006 7:59:11 PM

iamnona says:

unbelievable~

...posted 5/5/2006 4:52:08 PM

wholeheartedly_ruez says:

ouchy my heart hurts

...posted 5/4/2006 4:09:35 PM

PortugePunk says:

Just haunting. We all think we have it so bad... when so many have it much worse. Your portraits and retelling of stories give motivation to make change!

...posted 5/3/2006 8:05:00 PM

Roochster says:

Beautiful...You make amazing portraits!

...posted 5/2/2006 6:40:59 AM

J_B - Johnny B says:

Man that is deep. Your a good person for doing this

...posted 4/25/2006 8:57:25 PM

Apenas imagens - Marília Almeida says:

Impressive!

...posted 4/25/2006 4:01:42 AM

decembre says:

★ Thank you too for your post in
"Portrait★Faces"

...posted 4/22/2006 5:48:53 PM

Fantod says:

I love this astonishing shot! Very powerful.

...posted 4/22/2006 3:59:56 PM

Gypsy Cowboy says:

Gripping stuff. Good photo. Sometimes the cold and cruel one rules.

...posted 4/22/2006 3:16:34 PM

DaveWilliams says:

A great shot and a really sad story, excellent work to have brought them together.

...posted 4/21/2006 7:53:03 AM

linda hawke says:

theresa i am sorry you will never see this..
i am ashamed of my whining...bless you.

"birds fly over the rainbow,
why then, oh why can't i?"

...posted 4/21/2006 1:43:37 AM

YnR says:

Whaou...

...posted 4/20/2006 1:05:27 AM

lavannya says:

wow! i am touched with the story stoneth! really good portrait..you've captured the moment to go with the story surely!

...posted 4/19/2006 3:40:48 AM

See El Photo says:

powerful...

...posted 4/19/2006 1:31:35 AM

Michelle Miramontes says:

impressive portrait

...posted 4/18/2006 4:49:12 PM

teenage jesus says:

a strong story. wonderful portrait.
yesterday, coming back home after one week, I was thinking again about the portrait "a new life".

...posted 4/18/2006 1:25:52 PM

simplprs says:

no comment necessary....

Thank-you.

...posted 4/18/2006 2:31:14 AM

Johanne Landry says:

amazing story...amzing picture

...posted 4/18/2006 1:42:49 AM

Spirited_Away says:

And with tears in my eyes... Wonderful capture. Thank you for the story, just beautiful. There is something special about you stoneth!!! Thank you for ALL your photos and stories, heartbreaking and very touching to me.

...posted 4/18/2006 1:01:38 AM

Therapystudio says:

That's a wonderful portrait without knowing her backstory. Knowing it adds something special.

...posted 4/17/2006 10:06:05 PM

Lady Vervaine says:

Incredible photograph, and an extraordinary story. Superb work.

Do you do much post-processing to give the images that distinctive look they have?

...posted 4/17/2006 8:49:02 PM

[stelka] says:

i like your little documental story ! realy amazing :)

...posted 4/17/2006 7:04:48 PM

P.S.Zollo says:

one of your best yet - which is a bold statement to make, as your portraits are all so powerful. but her heavenward glance - that appeal to the almighty - is so heartrending and full of hope in an often hopeless world. good to see, especially on tax day, which makes me somewhat hopeless...

thank you for your powerful
work.

...posted 4/17/2006 4:54:22 PM

A.F.R.A. says:

Oh gosh! What an expression! your portraits are strong!
Wow,wow! wow!

...posted 4/17/2006 4:37:41 PM

Violator3 says:

great expression! so powerful...

...posted 4/17/2006 4:36:40 PM

Donna *deestea* says:

Theresa's story and portrait not only grab your heart, they punch you in the gut! Magnificent work!

...posted 4/17/2006 3:47:55 PM

Eclectic moma says:

What a karma... I am not as taken by the photo as much as for the life of the woman!!! I hope she finds or foudn someone thatshowed her a sign of love she could feel

...posted 4/17/2006 3:26:40 PM

exhibitj says:

Very touching story. You're my Number 1 Inspirational Photographer Tomas!

...posted 4/17/2006 2:32:27 PM

_Hans van de Vorst says:

Amazing story and a great capture of her eyes.

...posted 4/17/2006 1:55:32 PM

jasperroz says:

So sad.....Great intense portrait.

...posted 4/17/2006 1:36:25 PM

Ben° says:

beautifulll answer!!

...posted 4/17/2006 12:58:21 PM

Nekominn says:

"Born dead" So sad, so very sad.

...posted 4/17/2006 12:19:47 PM

lewishamdreamer says:

A devastating picture and story to share, and at such an emotive time. Would that the latter weren't necessary, but all credit to your integrity in uncovering it.

...posted 4/17/2006 9:44:06 AM

Alana ♥ says:

Really upsetting story; moving portrait.

...posted 4/17/2006 9:14:11 AM

photopoppywalker says:

great portriat! after you told a little story about her you can see it all in the picture! your really good!

...posted 4/17/2006 8:58:20 AM

slamehi says:

WOW! Another human story and picture!
So powerful. I wish you publish these with all the stories in a book.

...posted 4/17/2006 7:41:41 AM

Madasor says:

wow..I have no words..all your works are amazing..congratulations

...posted 4/17/2006 6:26:41 AM

. Az says:

Love is forgiveness........I am in a place where I need to forgive someone at the moment.
Maybe I need to take the advice of this very wise lady.

Thank you, and great capture as usual...what a style you have.

...posted 4/17/2006 6:17:39 AM

joeralt says:

now that you told her story it is posible to see it all in the internalized pain in her face.
This is art in it's highest.
I think by sharing their stories you bring a little light of forgiveness into the dark place that most of the humanity is still dwelling.

...posted 4/17/2006 4:34:44 AM

Janis Brass Photography says:

Tomas, this is a masterpiece.

...posted 4/17/2006 4:22:32 AM

BillyWarhol says:

i saw a cool bio on Shelby Adams tonight & the people he photographed in the Appalachians*

very similar*

...posted 4/17/2006 4:19:32 AM

END LESS says:

Look at the pain in all her face

...posted 4/17/2006 4:06:01 AM

* Ahmad Kavousian * says:

Look at all the pain in her eyes

...posted 4/17/2006 3:52:38 AM

AndroidParanoid says:

!

...posted 4/17/2006 3:11:52 AM

Andrew. says:

Amazing portrait. It captures the emotion beautifully.

...posted 4/17/2006 3:05:52 AM