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
keep smiling and
always think positive.
Daddy, I miss you.

I feel your heart
touching mine as I
express my love to
God and family.
Daddy, I miss you.

I feel your strength
within my shoulders as I
promise your son-in-law
there will be a tomorrow.
Daddy, I miss you.

I feel your hands
guiding mine as I
express these words,
my feelings, the best I can.
Daddy, I miss you.

Daddy, Thank you.
I understand now.
The beauty of my garden
is the beauty of yours.
Daddy, I miss you.

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

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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.

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