Deborah Tornillo

Deborah Tornillo was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas by her loving and nurturing parents. She attended the University of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she studied Art. After marrying, raising two daughters and enjoying life with her family, Deborah joined a higher calling by committing to be the primary caregiver for her parents, both of whom were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in February 2006. In her new collection of memoirs, 36 Days Apart: A memoir of a daughter, her parents and the Beast named – Alzheimer’s: A story of Life, Love and Death, Deborah chronicles the time spent taking care of her mother and father. 36 Days Apart recounts this painful, enlightening journey, and Tornillo writes candidly about the struggles and fears she faced as her parents’ caregiver. As their disease progressed, Tornillo was faced with the difficult task of learning how to be a parent to her own parents. Through the year and a half of caring for them she extensively researched Alzheimer’s in order to provide the best care possible, all the while knowing that the disease would eventually win in the end. 36 Days Apart gives an honest, unflinching look at the realities of caring for and losing loved ones to Alzheimer’s. Tornillo gives the reader an inside look into the day-to-day life she faced during her heartbreaking, difficult time.

Articles:

Open to  hope

Poem: A Living Death

Alzheimer’s – A living death Mental deterioration A slow suffocation. A Caregiver’s love Hugging, kissing, holding Hope – from above. Out of control Loved one lost in space In a […]

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Poem: A New Year

A New Year is here What will it bring? Happiness or sorrow You’ll know tomorrow. Last year is behind us This year lies ahead. Is life pre-determined? Do we have […]

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Poem: Message

In my dream An elderly gent Flowing, white hair Comforted me In my despair. Mesmerized By his love, His blue eyes As heavenly As the sky above. Words not spoken […]

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Poem: Comfort

The pain of tonight He’s finally resting. He’s not hurting That is all that matters In this life of mine. The struggles of the past Been there, died there. Nothing […]

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Poem: For Sale

Sad eyes Without a smile. Years of tears Stained with fear. A broken heart That’s torn apart. A body and mind Tested by time. A tired soul Made of solid […]

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Poem: Let Me……

Let me enjoy Christmas I want to feel the sparkle The white of the lights The colors of the season. Let me enjoy Christmas I want to get beyond The […]

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Poem: Death

Why, do you show your face? Is it because it is cold outside Or, because the leaves have fallen Because, the snow is blanketing The ground with white crystals? Why? […]

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Thanksgiving – Why I’m Thankful

As far back as I can remember my mother and father loved celebrating Thanksgiving. My father would tell us that this was his favorite holiday, simply because we were blessed […]

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Poem: Shine, Forever Soar

God bless me with strength And the courage I need To move forward in life Embrace all that I’ve seen. Bless me with your love Through my turbulent times And, […]

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Thanksgiving

Dad passed away October 9, 2007 and Mom passed 36 days later on November 14, 2007. Today, I can now reflect back and remember how everything in my life had […]

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