If you’ve spent at least one of the last three years in America alive, you’ve probably noticed some different variation of pumpkin product. Pumpkin spice chicken sausage, Pumpkin Spice Eggo Waffles, Thomas’ Pumpkin Spice Bagels, and most tragic of all—Philadephia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese. Since when did pumpkin leggo our eggos? What is the relationship between the New England pumpkin and the New York bagel? Who ever thought that cream cheese should integrate with pumpkin? When did the mania begin, and when will it end?
Sure, pumpkins may “technically” be fruit in the same way tomatoes are technically fruit (scientifically fruit, but culturally and emotionally—total vegetables). They, along with kale, ramps, and the highly overblown “frisee,” belong to a long a line of fresh produce that go spontaneously viral for no apparent reason. Some of the causes may be seasonal (“Want to taste autumn? Eat Pumpkin Eggos”), others based on hysterical scientific claims, while still others trend for ridiculously adorable reasons. Here’s a quick look at vegetable and pseudo-vegetable viral history—some of it based in real scientific fact, others grounded in outright nutritional hysteria.
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.