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:

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 black hole. Alzheimer’s – A living death A reality, so cruel Until the very last breath. Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2010 http://www.deborahtornillo.com

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 free will? New Year’s resolutions Will we abide? Or, will we simply toss Our resolutions aside? Life is pre-determined And, we have free will. Happiness or sorrow You’ll know tomorrow. Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2010 http://www.deborahtornillo.com

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 Filled my mind. I understood then His message, His message of time. A message of hope And, of courage. A message of love And, of strength. A message of truth. The backbone of life It’s in your spine. The pain of today Will leave with time. God’s love will light the way. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, “36 Days Apart” Copyright© 2009 http://www.deborahtornillo.com

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 compares To the love of today Wanting, wanting to protect. How do I comfort? Same question I’ve asked Not too long ago, How do I stop their pain? My arms don’t sustain. God, help me comfort And, give them their strength. The power of you Comforts the power of them. Shine, let them feel your light. Frustrated, scared, and Asking for a miracle. Do you hear me? My Lord and […]

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 gold. Lifetime of pain Comes with a cane. Yesterday and tomorrow Feelings of sorrow. Memories of death There’s more left. Grief Without relief. All offers accepted! Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2009 http://www.deborahtornillo.com

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 crowds at the mall For all the right seasons. Let me enjoy Christmas I want to feel the holiday The happiness of my family And, yes – the happiness of me. Let me enjoy Christmas No more tears No more sadness No more deaths. Let me feel Christmas! Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright©, 2009 http://www.deborahtornillo.com

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? You visit often, just recently Taking a life, my father Then, you took my mother. Why just 36 days apart Did you show your face? Why? Now, you come back, and Knock at the door, once more Taunting, gripping, pulling Wanting to take another life Does age matter? Why? He’s just a simple man A man with many years Yet, he has little strength Yes, he’s tired, yes he’s weak […]

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 as a family with good health and fortune. He was proud that we were able to still come together throughout the years and gather around the dinner table to give thanks to our Lord for the gift of each other, and the wonderful meal my mother had prepared. She spent days in the kitchen baking homemade pumpkin pies, preparing all the side dishes and then her famous homemade stuffing for […]

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, help me understand This journey of mine. Shower me with the radiance Of your brilliance, Lord Bless my heart, my soul Let me shine, forever soar. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, “36 Days Apart” http://www.deborahtornillo.com

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 come to a standstill. For a year and half prior to their passing I spent every waking second of my day attending to them. They both had Alzheimer’s and, not only did it strip them of their memory and their life, it stripped me of who I am. I can now look back and realize that since February of 2006 my life has been on hold. The world and everyone […]

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