The Florida Everglades are a tropical wetland ecosystem that span two million acres across central and south Florida. They are home to hundreds of bird species, the endangered Florida panther, countless alligators, crocodiles, and the West Indian manatee.
While the wildlife in the Everglades is spectacular, it's ecosystem is crucial for sustaining life in the region. It provides irrigation for most of the state's agriculture and drinking water for one-third of its residents.
The Everglades also works to naturally filter water, replenish aquifers, and reduce flooding throughout the region.
Twenty-thousand acres in the Everglades were in danger of being polluted when Kanter Real Estate announced it would be drilling for oil in in the heart of the Everglades' Water Conservation Area 3 in Broward County.
Kanter Real Estate had owned the property for over 50 years with the original intent to develop it into a city.
In court filings the company stated it there is a 23% chance of finding oil on the vast property and could potentially extract between 180,000 to 10 million barrels.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection first denied Kanter Real Estate a permit to drill on the lands, but the decision was overturned by an appeals court.
When the Kanter family received permission, Florida Governor Republican Ron DeSantis got to work on striking a deal to purchase the land to protect it for the state's citizens and the environment.
DeSantis's efforts to preserve the land surprised many. He's a pro-Trump Republican who, according to The South Florida Sentinel ran "his campaign largely from the studios of Fox News."
However, DeSantis has made restoration of the Everglades a major environmental priority for his administration. In 2019, he signed an executive order that pledged $2.5 billion to protect the state's water resources.
Eventually, the DeSantis and the Kanter family reached a deal, with the state paying $16.5 to $18 million for the 20,000 acres.
"We will permanently save this land from oil production," DeSantis said at a news conference at Everglades Holiday Park. "And apart from that, it will be largest wetlands acquisition in a decade."
The Kanter family was also pleased with the deal.
"We are happy that the property will be protected and remain in pristine condition for many years to come," Kanter said in a statement emailed to CNN. "All of the stakeholders on both sides negotiated in good faith to find common interests and common ground."
The deal was also applauded by the Sierra Club that called it "an important purchase to protect the Everglades and the drinking water of millions of people."
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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.