There probably aren't many 31-year-olds who are best friends with 89-year-old women, but that doesn't get in the way of Chris Salvatore and Norma Cook's relationship.
Salvatore says that Cook calls him "the grandson she never had", a title he takes great pride in. He says that his adoptive grandmother has a "stubborn streak" and despite her warmth and friendliness, is quick to dish out the sass.
The two were neighbors for years, until Cook was admitted into the hospital due to complications brought about by leukemia.
She had difficulty breathing and fought through pneumonia. She knew that she didn't have much time left to live, so her and Salvatore decided to spend as much of her remaining time with each other.
She's already defied doctors' expectations by living past the holidays and Salvatore seems more than happy to have taken her in.
chris salvatore
"The nurses and doctors told her that it would be a miracle if she lived past the holidays, so the fact that she's still thriving is just a really great thing. She's doing great. If you could see her right now, she looks so cute on the couch with her feet propped up. She just hangs out on my couch and watches TV," Salvatore said in an interview with Today.
Salvatore offered Cook to stay in his apartment as 24-hour caretakers doctors recommended aren't covered by her insurance.
chris salvatore
After being released from the hospital Cook was told she needed 24-hour care. So Salvatore immediately set up a GoFundMe on Thanksgiving and managed to raise $50,000. As they tried out caretakers, the money quickly disappeared and in order to cut costs and still provide Cook with the care she needed, Salvatore suggested that her and her cat, Hermes, move in with him.
"The only other option was for her to go into a facility. I just couldn't do that to someone who is like my own grandmother."
Cook was overjoyed by the suggestion, which they both thought made sense because they'd hang out almost every day.
chris salvatore
Salvatore is also constantly posting the photos they take together online with the hashtag #myneighbornorma. Norma says that their hangout sessions usually consist of them drinking champagne, eating peanuts, watching the news, and talking.
Cook went on to say that Salvatore is "really a wonderful guy" and that if he doesn't make it as an actor, he can make it as a chef; she loves his cooking.
For Salvatore, he describes his relationship with Cook as fateful.
"Moving her in... it feels as though it was meant to be all along. It's really fulfilling to be there for her."
What an awesome relationship. (h/t today)
from Distractify http://distractify.com/trending/2017/01/25/actor-89-yr-old
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