31-Year-Old Man Let His 89-Year-Old Ailing Neighbor Move In With Him, She Calls Him 'Grandson She Never Had'

Sep 17, 2020

California man Chris Salvatore took it upon himself to care for a then 85-year-old neighbor named Norma after learning of her health complications, including leukemia, and had to give up her car because she lost her ability to drive. The duo's story made headlines in 2016. Norma passed away in 2017.

Grandparents are very special people. And some people don't even have to be a blood relative to be a good grandparent to you.

Chris Salvatore had started a special relationship with his elderly neighbor, Norma Cook, a few years ago. Even though the two were decades apart in age, the unlikely duo struck up a beautiful and enduring friendship.

According to TODAY, Salvatore said that Cook offered her then 31-year-old neighbor a glass of champagne the first time that they met. The two immediately hit it off and were lost in conversation.

Cook suffered from leukemia, which led to a host of complications, including pneumonia, breathing issues, and other dangerous side effects. After a two-month hospital stay, Cook's doctors said that she could not return home without 24-hour care.

Thankfully, Salvatore immediately sprung into action and raised over $77,000 through a GoFundMe page.

Because she needed constant care, he even let her move into his apartment. He would cook for her and the two would hang out drinking her favorite champagne.

Unfortunately, Salvatore revealed in February 2017 on his Instagram that Cook had passed away, leaving her heartbroken friend behind. He posted a beautiful tribute to the woman that he regarded as a grandmother to him. It is obvious that the two shared a meaningful bond.

Norma is now resting peacefully in the eternal and while she may no longer physically be with us, her spirit will continue to fill the hearts of so many people. Perhaps Norma's lasting legacy is that her story helped the world to see the true meaning of love," Salvatore wrote in his touching post.

Earlier this year in February, Salvatore again took to Instagram to pay tribute to Cook three years after her passing, calling her his "forever Valentine."

Be sure to spread this heartwarming and bittersweet story to everyone in this world that you love most. And let us know what you think about it. Salvatore's poignant words and the feelings these two people had for each other carry so much meaning and should be spread to as many of your friends as possible.