5 days ago
Woman Takes Elderly Neighbor to the Movies—Tears at How She Finds Him
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A beautiful and profound intergenerational friendship has been shared with the world through a viral TikTok video.
Julissa Gomez, 28, posted a video of her taking her 86-year-old neighbor, Delmar, to see the movie Elio. What brought Gomez to tears, however, was the sight of Delmar waiting on his porch, his face full of excited anticipation. His pure joy in a simple moment has resonated with 6.5 million people who liked the clip. Gomez spoke to Newsweek about the unlikely friendship and what it's meant to her to have Delmar in her life.
Gomez and Delmar's friendship is a true testament to the power of community. Gomez said their bond began after she and her family invited him to join them at church.
Photos from Julissa Gomez's TikTok video of her neighbor going to the movies.
Photos from Julissa Gomez's TikTok video of her neighbor going to the movies.
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"We went every Sunday, and afterwards, we'd share a meal together," Gomez said. "Those Sundays became something we all looked forward to, and over time, he truly became part of our family." Their inspiring story has even been turned into a children's book, The Friendship Next Door with Delmar, with proceeds going toward his living expenses and medical bills.
A Constant Source of Support and Love
The movie outing is just one of many activities Gomez and her family share with Delmar to ensure he never feels lonely. Their shared adventures include running errands, celebrating holidays and birthdays and simply sitting and talking for hours. Delmar also enjoys watching his favorite shows, Funny You Should Ask and Family Feud, with them.
Their friendship runs deeper than shared meals and movie nights, however.
Gomez shared that after her father passed away, Delmar became a source of strength and support when she needed it most.
"After my dad passed away, I went through a really hard time," she said. "But Delmar was a constant source of support and love. He checked in on us regularly and became the kind of friend and family that anyone would be lucky to have."
She added that she believes that her father "sent Delmar to brighten our days." The bond her dad and Delmar shared has now been passed on to Gomez's husband, who can make Delmar "laugh like no one else can." Gomez said she treasures Delmar for his "kindness, wisdom, humor, and the way he makes everyone around him feel special."
The Internet Comes Together to Help
The viral video has not only brought awareness to their friendship but has also sparked an outpouring of generosity from the online community.
This support has helped ease many of Delmar's financial burdens.
"When his car stopped working, he was devastated, it's his independence," Gomez shared. "Thanks to the generosity through our GoFundMe, he was able to get it fixed." Without the support from TikTok, she says, this would not have been possible.
The same online community also helped Delmar with another milestone: getting his first cellphone. This has provided him a new way to stay connected with Gomez and "all the people cheering him on." For her, seeing this online community come together to support her dear friend has been "incredibly moving."
The story of Gomez and Delmar is ultimately a powerful reminder that random acts of kindness can lead to the most meaningful and unexpected friendships.
