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: Reflections of my Soul
Reflections of my Soul Words in my heart Reflections of my soul Some are weak Then, many are bold. Grief is an emotion, a word That rapes the soul Leaving […]
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Poem: For All I Am
For All I Am They raised me with love And, never left my side Although I left them I’m still their child. They taught me life Love and compassion They […]
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The Importance of Journaling
Writing has always been very therapeutic for me. I enjoy writing and especially enjoy writing poems. Writing allows me to express my fears, my sadness, my anger and yes, my […]
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Poem: Daddy, I Miss You…
I see your eyes staring back at me as I look in the mirror each and every day. Daddy, I miss you. I hear your words of wisdom telling me […]
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Books and Prayers
When I was taking care of my parents, whom were both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I prayed daily for God’s guidance. Through prayer I knew that no matter how bad or […]
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Take Care of Yourself
As I reflect back on the past when I was taking care of my parents, whom were both diagnosed at the same time with Alzheimer’s, I often found that it […]
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Poem: Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad You taught me as your daughter The meaning of life, To stop and look all around me, To reach for the stars and Appreciate everything that life […]
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Grief Journey Includes Parents’ Deaths, Husband’s Illness
I look back now and ask myself how I got through a year and a half of taking care of my mother and father, who were both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s […]
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Husband’s Cancer Reminds Wife of Previous Losses
Today, I find myself crying at the drop of a hat. The tears are back, and they remind me of the tears I cried in my parents’ backyard when I […]
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