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: I Salute You

I Salute You A little boy Taken by the hand, His father said You will be a soldier, A man. Sent away To a distant land, He fought with courage To prove to his father He can. He flew with the best, Killed with Tears in his eyes, Until the day He too would die. Far away, Killed in action, Body never recovered His father’s words Never delivered. Son, I’m proud of you, For the sacrifices you made, As a soldier, A man, I salute you. Deborah Tornillo Author, 36 Days Apart http://www.authorsden.com/dtornillo

An Ongoing Journey

My mother and father’s pictures are everywhere in my home. Every morning when I awake – I see them and say “Good morning.” Throughout the day I talk with my mother and father. I share with them my tears that I still have for them, because I miss them so very much. I share with them the joyful moments of my day and yes, the angry ones. I know, with all my heart my parents would not want me to grieve for them. I can hear my father this very moment saying to me “quit making a big deal of […]

God Will Answer My Prayers

In 1968 my brother, Danny who was 19 years old was killed in Vietnam. At the time, I was 15 years old. His helicopter was shot down and according to eye witnesses exploded in mid-air and then landed on the banks of a river. Because of heavy, enemy ground fire his body was never recovered. To date, he is listed as MIA (Missing in Action). After the loss of my brother several searches were conducted over the years, but no body was recovered. My mother and father lived the remainder of their years grieving deeply, but never gave up hope […]

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, more importantly 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 […]

Poem: Shine

Shine There is a light that shines inside all Some days it is so warm and so bright Other days it is cold and just a flicker Leaving us afraid and bitter. When troubles have come our way And we lose our hope and faith Turn to our Lord, Almighty And ask for a little bit of his rays. He’ll give you back your light And, no more will it be just a flicker Instead, you’ll shine so bright Within his warmth and glowing light. Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2009 http://www.authorsden.com

Poem: I Hear You

Before I cross uncertain land I hear Daddy say to me. Little girl hold on to my hand And, remember to look both ways. If you should have any doubt Always call out my name. And, I will always guide you Through the unknown and the same. Keep laughing long into the night I hear Daddy say to me. Little girl wipe away your tears And, ride through life without fears. If you should have any doubt Always call out my name. And, I will always be by your side Through the joy and the pain. Compassionately go about your […]

Poem: Grief in Slow Motion

Grief in Slow Motion The heart is a fragile vessel Navigating the sea of emotions Every day and every night Grief in slow motion. Drowning in our tears Surrendering to the pain And, our loss of hope We all feel the same. One day we feel happy The next day mad There are many days we don’t feel And days we’re sad. Praying for our shining light A sense of normal Grief in slow motion A journey for life. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author “36 Days Apart” Copyright© 2009 http://www.authorsden.com/dtornillo

Poem: The Eagle

The Eagle Peace in the midst Of the storm Lay aside, worries Discouragements Stretch my wings Rise above And, soar. Here it comes again Stretch my wings Catch the wind And, rise above it Cast my fears Remain at rest Stay in Peace. Fight through it Struggle And, strain Come out weary Worn And beat up Or rise above it. Stretch my wings Rise above it Cast my cares Ride the wind Do my best Enter into God’s rest. Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2009 http://www.authorsden.com/dtornillo

Grief Reminders: September, October, November

The first few days in the hospital I was told by my father’s doctor that he had experienced several more strokes. One of the strokes required 4-5 nurses to hold him down. He became very physical during these episodes and on this particular one he managed to break one of the nurse’s glasses. They had him in a room directly outside the nurses’ station where they could monitor him 24/7. There was also a nurse brought in from Hospice to sit vigilantly outside his bedroom door. He continued to make attempts at trying to get out of bed, but his […]

Grief: An Ongoing Journey to Rebirth

Grief: An Ongoing Journey I just want my joy back! It seems as if it were just yesterday when I spoke those words to my husband. He had just been diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and I had just lost both of my parents to Alzheimer’s. Grief is an ongoing journey for me. There are good days and then there are horrible days. It is in my darkest of days that I find some comfort in my writing. It is through my writing that I’m finding my joy. Very recently I was approached with this question “What is reborn and […]

Open to Hope is an online community offering inspirational stories of loss, hope and recovery. We believe hope is the bridge between loss and recovery.