When the sassy 80-something Norma Cook met dashing 20-something Chris Salvatore, it sparked a friendship like you would have never seen before. For her, he was the grandson she never had, and for him, she was the friendly yet sassy grandmother who has some sort of a stubborn streak.
Chris and Norma have an unlikely tale of friendship, which is heartbreaking, adorable, amusing and delighting, all at the same time. Have you heard about their amazing story? Would you like to? All you have to do is keep reading.
Chris did not have to look too far to find the person who would change his life. When he moved into his West Hollywood apartment, he formed an unlikely friendship with Norma Cook who lived just across the courtyard. The two would often interact over champagne and would have regular pizza parties. Little did they or anybody else know that the two were going to become the best of friends one day! He would take her everywhere she needed to be, from the bank and the grocery store to anywhere else she wanted to go.
But soon, her health began to take a turn for the worse and down with pneumonia, she had to spend two months in the hospital. She was advised by doctors not to return to the apartment unless she has round-the-clock care. Knowing how much of a burden it would be on the old lady and that she had no one from her family around to be with her at all times, her friend Chris made a web page for her last Thanksgiving to raise money for her care.
Though the actor was able to raise funds of USD 50000 in no time, he soon realized that the amount was not going to be enough to take good care of her. So, what did he do? He invited her friend to move in with him, taking care of her everything by himself. One might think that the offer was not so neighborly, but the two shared a relationship that was way beyond those bounds. Cook’s only other option was to move into a facility but, Chris, as he explained in an interview, could not even bear the thought of it happening to somebody who is like his grandmother.
That is when the fun began for the two of them. They spend their days watching the news, which the both of them loved, drinking champagne and eating peanuts. Another thing that they did loads of was talking. In Chris’ care, old Norma survived longer than her doctors believed that she would. But the days did not last too long. As time passed by, her health began to deteriorate, and she even lost her ability to walk. The news of her demise came back in February when Chris Salvatore took to Twitter to announce the loss of her best friend. Chris says caring for Norma and being with her in her last days was an experience that changed his life as it has changed the way he views love.
Well, if it can change his life, it can change ours to as it is an inspiration to all of us. Friendship is a bond that sees no bounds, whether it is age, sex or whatever. If a gay guy can become the most important person for a lady who is more than 50 years older than her, then it shows that nothing in the world is strange.
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