In August 2016, 19-year-old Hannah Spooner of Detroit, Michigan, won one of the greatest prizes a teenager could ever receive — free pizza for a year from a Little Caesars.
After entering a raffle, she was randomly selected to win $500 worth of pizza. Since a large Hot-N-Ready pie is only $5, that amounts to about 100 large pizzas, or 800 slices, over 365 days. But instead of living out 2017 in a pizza-fueled utopia, Spooner decided she would pay it forward and donate her winnings to charity.
“Detroit is going through a lot of negativity,” Spooner told Inside Edition. “I wanted somewhere close to home that would be affected by my donation.” So she and her boyfriend looked into some local charities before finally deciding on giving her winnings to Covenant House Michigan, a shelter for homeless youth ages 18-24.
Carolyn Millard, Covenant House’s development manager, was thrilled with the donation because the kids at her shelter “love” pizza. “They get very excited,” she said.
After hearing the news of Spooner’s generous donation, Little Caesars threw a pizza party at the shelter. The party celebrated the house’s Total Me program which invites students from local colleges to mentor the at-risk youth.
Since her donation, Spooner has gotten a lot of attention for her good deed. “I’m so happy others get to hear our story and make a difference in their communities as well,” she wrote on Facebook. “It’s easy to get overwhelmed in our daily lives and to be consumed with the negativity in the world, I’m hoping that people take a step back and realize what is truly important in life!”
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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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.