Last Friday, when President Donald Trump cut a cake at one of his inaugural balls, the towering confection became an unlikely source of controversy. Baker to the stars, Duff Goldman, took to Twitter in disbelief because Trump’s cake was the spitting image of the one he made for Barack Obama’s inaugural ball in 2013.
This prompted Trump’s baker, Washington D.C.’s Buttercream Bakeshop, to come forward and admit the cake was inspired by Obama’s. “Excited to share the cake we got to make for one of last night’s inaugural balls,” the bakeshop said in an Instagram post. “While we most love creating original designs, when we are asked to replicate someone else’s work we are thrilled when it is a masterpiece like this one @duff_goldman originally created this for Obama’s inauguration 4 years ago and this year’s committee commissioned us to re-create it.”
In the post, Buttercream Bakers also announced they were donating all profits from the cake to the Human Rights Campaign — the largest LGBTQ rights organization in the US. “Best part is all the profits are being donated to @humanrightscampaign, one of our favorite charities who we have loved working with over the years,” the bakery said on Instagram. “Because basic human rights are something every man, woman and child~ straight, gay or the rainbow in between deserve!”
The bakery’s decision to donate money to a pro-LGBT cause is an act of defiance given Vice-President Mike Pence’s history of supporting homophobic policies. In 2015, he signed a “religious freedom bill” that made it legal for businesses to discriminate against members of the LGBT community. He has also said that gay couples signaled a “societal collapse,” opposed the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, and said keeping gays from marrying was the enforcement of “god’s idea.” Well played, Buttercream Bakers.
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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.