At Just 24, She Became Her Grandma’s Caregiver and Their Bond Is Touching Hearts Everywhere

At just 24, she became her grandma’s caregiver—and their bond is touching hearts everywhere. Somewhere in a Seattle home, there is probably coffee brewing, a cat nearby, and an 83-year-old grandmother and her 24-year-old granddaughter wearing remarkably similar outfits and breaking into song.

Meet Grace Yockey and her grandmother, Valerie Yockey, affectionately known as Vava.

They may have a 59-year age difference, but spend a few minutes with them, and it becomes clear these two were made to be roommates. But their story is something we, “the sandwich generation,” can relate to. Our mother-in-law lives with us, and it’s improved her life just as much as it has ours. 

Grace shares everything she’s learning while living with her grandma. 

“We have the same hands,” Grace said. “We wear the same clothes. We like interchange our clothes. It’s always a black top and some flowy pants.”

They also share a love of yoga, coffee dates, and cats. Basically, Grace found out her future self was living 10 blocks away. But underneath the laughter is a tender reason the two women now share a home.

Vava was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. As she began needing more help, Grace moved in and became her caregiver.

24-Year-Old Becomes Caregiver for Her Grandmother

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“I was really pleased that she wanted to be here,” Vava said. “It’s comforting at this age.” Then, in classic grandma fashion, she added that Grace is “a delightful young woman.”

Grace began sharing snippets of their life together on social media, never expecting their relationship to capture so many hearts. There are silly videos, singing, and dancing. There are coffee dates and plenty of laughter. But Grace doesn't hide the difficult days either.

Grace Shares the Hard Parts of Dementia Too

She has shared Vava's forgetfulness, falls, and hospital stays. Dementia has brought grief into their home, and Grace knows their relationship continues to change.

In fact, that grief is partly why she started sharing their videos. Rather than allowing fear of what dementia might take tomorrow to steal everything beautiful about today, Grace decided they would “make silly videos together and see what this time brings.”

And what this time has brought is something lovely.

“We’re always singing. Someone’s always dancing,” Grace said. “It’s just a joy to be alive in this house.”

Their Bond Is a Reminder to Treasure Ordinary Moments

Maybe that is why their story resonates with so many people. Grace cannot stop dementia from changing her grandmother's memory. She cannot promise what next year will look like. But she can sit beside her today.

She can pour the coffee. Turn up the music. Laugh at the same joke. Dance through the kitchen. Wear matching flowy pants. Love the woman standing in front of her exactly as she is.

And perhaps there is something holy about loving someone that way. We spend so much of our lives assuming there will be more time. Another visit. Another cup of coffee. Another conversation with Grandma.

Grace and Vava remind us to treasure the ordinary moments while they are still ours. Because memories sometimes fade. Love has a remarkable way of staying.

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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

WATCH: At Just 24, She Became Her Grandma’s Caregiver—and Their Bond Is Touching Hearts Everywhere 

LISTEN: Dad Loses Leg Saving 2-Year-Old Daughter From Oncoming Truck

h/t: Today

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/TODAY

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.