Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, was a day just like any other in America. There was a shooting at an elementary school 120 miles north of Sacramento, California. Early reports showed that five people were dead and 10 wounded, some of them children. It was the 390th mass shooting of 2017, and it surely will not be the last before we ring in the new year.
Mass shootings have become such a part of everyday life in America that Florida Christian School in Miami is presently selling ballistic backpack panels to parents to protect their children. The panels cost $120 at the student store and can withstand bullets like a .44 Magnum and a .357 SIG, but they aren’t heavy enough to withstand rifle fire.
The bulletproof inserts are made by Applied Fiber Concepts in Hialeah, Florida.
Florida Christian School offers $120 bulletproof backpack insert for K-12 students because Florida: https://t.co/HyzhlqSxmh pic.twitter.com/LVkz4RN72u
— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) November 10, 2017
George Gulla, head of security and dean of students at Florida Christian School, told CNN the bulletproof panels would add “another level of protection” in the event of “an active shooter.” The students at the school have been trained to shield themselves with their backpacks to protect themselves from gunfire.
“It’s just a tool,” Gulla told the Miami Herald. “I’d rather be prepared for the worst than be stuck after saying, ‘Wow, I wish we would've done that.’”
For some parents, a bulletproof backpack gives them peace of mind knowing their child might be protected in the event of a mass shooting. For others, it’s a white flag that shows America has finally stopped fighting and would rather throw armor on our children than deal with the country’s mass shooting epidemic. But for all, the advent of the bulletproof backpack is undeniable proof that we haven’t done everything in our power to keep our children safe.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.