Yesterday at 2:30 pm the capitol building was quickly evacuated after rioting Trump supporters pushed their way through security and entered the building.
Congress was in the middle of a joint session to perform the ceremonial counting of the 2020 electoral votes when the breach occurred. In the rush to evacuate, quick-thinking U.S. Senate aides grabbed the ballot boxes to take them to safety.
The votes of every state are kept in ceremonial 18-inch by 10-inch mahogany boxes lined with leather.
If the boxes would have fallen into the hands of rioters, they would surely have been vandalized and possibly destroyed. Although it wouldn't have affected the results of the election, it would have been a gut punch to American democracy and a symbolic victory for the insurrection.
It would have also delayed the process of certifying the election.
The Federal Registrar also has digital copies of the ballots posted on the Electoral College webpage.
Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon saluted the actions of the aides on Twitter.
Senator Tammy Duckworth shared the story with CBS News.
Photos of the aides carrying the boxes to safety have gone viral on social media. They're a great reminder that even when our democracy is under threat, it will always stand strong because of brave people who carry on, even in the face of grave danger.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
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.