Being a new mom is hard. Being a college student is hard. Without having a village to help both student and baby, parents face a much tougher road to graduation. A 2013 study found that 53% of parents leave college with no degree versus 31% of non-parents. That’s why a recent letter from a professor who understands the challenges of parenthood is going viral.
Morgan King is the 21-year-old mother to a baby daughter named Korbyn and studies therapeutic recreation at the University of Tennessee. On June 14, she missed a class because there was no one to watch her daughter. Later that day, she wrote a letter apologizing for her absence to her professor, Sally B. Hunter, and received a surprising response:
“In the future, if you are having trouble finding someone to watch Korbyn, please feel free to just BRING HER with you to class. I would be absolutely delighted to hold her while I teach, so that you can still pay attention to the class and take notes. I work for the Department of CHILD and FAMILY Studies — so how terrible would it be, if I was unwilling to have a child visit our class? I’m very serious with this offer—just bring Korbyn with you!”
Told my professor I missed class yesterday bc I couldn't find childcare & this was her response. I'm literally crying. So blessed/thankfulpic.twitter.com/3QaThJRXdo
— Morgan King (@morgantking) June 16, 2017
King shared the letter on Twitter and it quickly went viral. After two weeks, it’s been shared over 27,000 times and has over 5,000 likes. The letter was retweeted so quickly, Hunter learned about King’s tweet even before she could notify her.
Update: I just went to email my professor to let her know I posted her email and it went viral but she beat me to it! Hahaha #twitterfamous pic.twitter.com/4n8EEc0zux
— Morgan King (@morgantking) June 19, 2017
Hunter’s show of support for a student earned her a lot of love on Twitter.
It's people like this that make my heart so damn happy
— Sydd (@_SydTheKid2) June 16, 2017
I dont even know you Morgan, saw a retweet, but keep working hard. Inspiring 2 see young people going 4 it even with added responsibilities.
— Eric Arnold (@EricArnoldTN) June 17, 2017
What a beautiful show of humanity. Made my night. If only we could always be this kind & compassionate to one another. ❤Best wishes to you!
— Dorothy Zbornak (@DorothyZbornak6) June 18, 2017
Morgan, Professor Hunter's response to you is a shining example of making student success a priority at UTK. Very proud of her!
— UT President (@UTPresidentJoe) June 25, 2017
Supportive professors like this helped me get my college degree when I had a small child! Love them!
— Nancy Mihalich (@NancyMihalich) June 18, 2017
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.