How well do you know your next-door neighbor? Do you trust them enough to invite them into your home? What do you think about inviting them to live in your home?
In 2013, Chris Salvatore moved into the apartment alongside which lived Norma Cook, an 85-year-old woman who lives with her cat, Hermes. When they first met, the two exchanged friendly greetings; but, when Salvatore introduced himself, the two became fast friends.
It came to be that they became such close friends that when Norma was at the end of her life and in need of constant care, Salvatore, a young actor of 31 years old, invited her to move in with him.
Norma’s health began to decline quickly when she reached 89. Salvatore discovered during a hospital visit that Cook would not be allowed to come home unless she was given constant care. She was at a loss since she didn’t have any children of her own or relatives.
Salvatore used the internet to create a GoFundMe page for Cook. After the two friends put a few caregivers to the test, the 31-year-old knew he needed to do more.
He told TODAY, ‘The only other alternative was for her to go into a facility. I couldn’t do it to someone as dear to me as my grandma.’
His flat was available and he encouraged Cook to move in.
Salvatore told GoFundMe, ‘I’m so delighted I was able to offer her this gift of spending her last days at my home. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to spend your last days in a hospital without your friends or pets.’
Both of them turned out to be fantastic roommates.
Cook told TODAY, ‘We always watched the news. We basically spoke, drank Champagne, and ate peanuts.’
Cook, sadly, passed away on February 15, 2017. Salvatore broke the sad news on Instagram, where he usually documented the duo’s trips. Salvatore was described by Cook as ‘the grandson she never had’.
Salvatore wasn’t obligated to assist Cook in any way, but he couldn’t bear the thought of her spending her final days in a hospital alone.
Share this story if you agree that we should all be more like Salvatore.