Racial intimidation is vile and dehumanizing, but there are few more disgusting things than when this form of hatred is directed at a child.
Two weeks ago, Mateus Romualdo, an 11-year-old from Murray, Utah, was walking home from school when a car full of teenagers drove by screaming racial epithets him. “He felt very terrified and actually told me he thought the kids were going to shoot him,” his mother, Heather Romualdo, told KSTU-TV.
Heather Romualdo took to Facebook to share her outrage over the incident. The post eventually went viral, catching the attention of Mateus’ youth basketball coach, Troy Harlan.
“I know that when I read the post that his mom wrote about him being scared, I’ve gone through all that,” Harlan told KSTU-TV. “I grew up in Davis County, and I know what it feels like to be one of only two black kids at my school.”
Harlan wanted to be sure Mateus felt safe walking home from school, so he and Mateus’ mother organized a march to accompany him on his walk home from school. Harlan used his basketball connections to round up one of Utah's biggest stars, the Utah Jazz Bear and Jazz legend Thurl Bailey.
“The message I want to happen is that people need to be held accountable,” Harlan said. “You’re not born to hate people; you're taught to hate people. I don’t care what color you are: We are all the same. ”
On Oct. 11, dozens of people from the community came together to walk Mateus home from school. They carried signs condemning racism and even brought along their pets.
Take a look at this wonderful video of community solidarity:
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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.