“I'm still asking you to believe — not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I believe in change because I believe in you.”
That was Barack Obama’s official last tweet as the president of the United States, written on January 20, his last day in office. He was talking to all of us, but let’s keep it real: As photos snapped over the past decade show, the people Obama believes in — and loves — the most might just be the pint-sized ones. And six months after he left office, it seems the nation is hungrier than ever for pics of Obama the Baby Whisperer in action.
That explains why pictures of him taken last week at Anchorage International Airport with a 6-month-old baby named Giselle have gone viral. The infant’s mother, Jolene Jackinsky, told The Associated Press that Obama walked over to her and asked, “Who is this pretty girl?” about the baby. They snapped some adorable selfies, which Jackinsky uploaded to Facebook, and now people are feeling all the feels about the images.
Fortunately for us, Obama’s official photographer, Pete Souza, took dozens of pictures of the former president hugging, fist-bumping, and lifting kids in the air, and they’re all in a publicly available archive. Looking through the pictures in the slideshow above, it’s heartwarming to see how Obama always has a smile or twinkle in his eyes when he interacts with kids. He knows they’re our national treasure, and we — parents, extended family members, mentors, teachers, and community members — have to keep believing in our ability to create the future that is rightfully theirs.
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
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.