For most middle schoolers, there’s nothing more important than fitting in. It’s not that conformity is cool, but kids who are a little different are almost always singled out and subject to bullying. Recently, a 12-year-old boy named Xavier in Orlando, Florida, was heartbroken to learn he’d have to wear a back brace until he stops growing to correct his scoliosis and pectus. He tried to hide the cumbersome hunk of plastic beneath his clothes, but it was too uncomfortable. So Xavier wore the brace outside of his clothing, making him a target for bullies.
Upset that her son was being singled out at school, Xavier’s mother, Ashley King, reached out to her friends on Facebook to see if there was anyone who could help.
“Okay FB , I just left the Orthopedic Dr. , And Xavier is going to have to wear this back brace longer then expected. He has scoliosis and Pectus, this is suppose to help him straighten out in his growing years. He’s embarrassed to wear this to school. Last year he wore it under his shirt but it’s very noticeable , and got picked on. I’m looking for a place that can possibly do a airbrush design on this in Orlando . Please share this help him out. Thanks !!”
After her post, King was put in touch with “Evil” Anjel, a local tattoo artist at Anarchy Tattoos & Art Co. Anjel proved he wasn’t so evil after all by using his amazing artistic talents to airbrush a cool design on Xavier’s back brace. Now, instead of going to school wearing an unfashionable chunk of white plastic, Xavier had a menacing great white shark on his chest.
“I’m so touched I just had to share this positive story,” King wrote on Facebook. “My son has scoliosis and has to wear a back brace until he stops growing. He was getting teased at school, so I put something on Facebook to see if I can make his back brace ‘cool.’ A man named Anjel reached out to me, and he airbrush a design onto his back brace, at no charge. It might not seem like a big deal, but to my son, it’s everything!”
This isn’t the first time Anjel has helped out a member his community. After the tragic mass shooting at nearby Pulse nightclub in June 2016, Anjel and his team gave away free “Pulse” tattoos to help the community heal.
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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.