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
Let him go on, and
Let him live.

Deborah Ann Tornillo
Author, “36 Days Apart”
Copyright© 2009

Tags: ,

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.

More Articles Written by Deborah