Last month, President Trump issued a ban on people entering the country from seven predominantly Muslim countries, sparking outrage at home and abroad. The executive order placed limits on travel to the U.S. from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen, and by all refugees. After just seven days, the ban was struck down in the courts pending further litigation. This un-American exercise in anti-Muslim hysteria prompted many to celebrate the many contributions they’ve made to our country. One such contribution is a delicious snack most Americans couldn’t live without: ice cream.
Ice cream came to the United States after being introduced to Europe during the Arab invasion of Sicily in the eighth century. During a recent conquest of the Persian Empire, the Arabs discovered a chilled refreshment known as sharbat. Sharbat was a combination of honey, fruit syrup, and snow. The Arabs took the delicacy to the next level by adding milk and sugar, whipping up the first batch of ice cream.
If Trump’s Muslim ban was in place decades ago, Americans would probably still have ice cream, but we’d be stuck eating it in bowls. The world’s first ice cream cone was created on a whim by Syrian immigrant Ernest Hamwi at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. Hamwi was selling zalabis, a waffle-like pastry, near an ice cream vendor. When the vendor ran out of dishes, Hamwi rolled his zalabis into a cone to hold the ice cream—and summer days have never been the same since. The story of ice cream is another reminder of just how sweet diversity can be.
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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.