On Aug. 12, for the 88th time, the Bud Billiken Parade hit the streets of Chicago. Considered to be the largest African-American parade in the country, over a million people came out to see a wonderful celebration of Chicagoland youth culture, featuring dance squads, drill teams, and marching bands. During the parade, grand marshal Chance the Rapper passed out over 30,000 backpacks to help local kids prepare for school, courtesy of his SocialWorks nonprofit and STATE Bags.
At the end of the parade, there was a surprise concert featuring Chance as well as Future and Jeremiah. At the concert, the crowd was treated to a videotaped speech from former grand marshal and one-time leader of the free world, President Barack Obama.
“I felt obliged to say congratulations to you for being a grand marshal,” Obama said. “You never know what might happen. The Bud Billiken Parade stands for so much of what the community is about,” he continued. He then thanked Chance for helping a community he served for many years. “Chance, I’m grateful for everything that you’ve done ... you are representing a kind of young people that come out of Chicago and change the world.”
In addition to giving thousands of backpacks to Chicago-area students, Chance the Rapper and SocialWorks have donated millions to improve the education system in the city. Chance’s work earned him the 2017 BET Humanitarian Award. “Chance has consistently used his musical platform to support a number of impactful educational, social and political initiatives — positively impacting both local and national communities,” BET said in a statement.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
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.