How well do you know your neighbor? Do you know them well enough to invite them over your home? What about inviting them to live with you?
In 2013,ย Chris Salvatore moved in across the hall from Norma Cook, an 85-year-old woman, and her cat, Hermes. The two always said hello to each other, but after Salvatore introduced himself they became fast friends.
View this post on Instagram
In fact they became such good friends that when Norma was near the end of her life and in need of constant care, Salvatore, a 31-year-old actor, asked her to move in.
How well do you know your neighbor? Do you know them well enough to invite them over your home? What about inviting them to live with you?
In 2013,ย Chris Salvatore moved in across the hall from Norma Cook, an 85-year-old woman, and her cat, Hermes. The two always said hello to each other, but after Salvatore introduced himself they became fast friends.
In fact they became such good friends that when Norma was near the end of her life and in need of constant care, Salvatore, a 31-year-old actor, asked her to move in.
When Norma turned 89 her health began to rapidly decline.ย After a hospital stay,ย Salvatore learned that Cook wouldnโt be allowed to return home unless she had constant care.ย Without any children of her own or family nearby, she was at a loss.
Salvatore took to the internet and set up a GoFundMe for Cook. Once the two best friends tested a few caretakers, the 31-year-old realized he was going to have to do something more.
View this post on Instagram
โThe only other option was for her to go into a facility,โ he told TODAY. โI just couldnโt do that to someone who is like my own grandmother.โ
He invited Cook to move into his apartment.
View this post on Instagram
โIโm so happy I was able to give her this gift of living her last days at home,โ Salvatore told GoFundMe. โI canโt imagine what itโs like to go through the end of your life at a hospital without your friends or pets.โ
The two turned out to be excellent roommates.
โWe always watch the news,โ Cook told TODAY. โWe mostly talk and drink Champagne and eat peanuts.โ
View this post on Instagram
Unfortunately, on February 15, 2017 Cook passed away. Salvatore shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, where he typically shared the pairโs adventures.
View this post on Instagram
โShe called me the grandson she never had,โ Salvatore said of Cook.
View this post on Instagram
Salvatore didnโt have to help Cook in any way, but he couldnโt bare to see her spend her final days in a hospital without someone who loved her.
Share this article if you think we should all be a little more like Salvatore.
