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:

Open to  hope

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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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