As the world gathers in Paris to discuss climate change, the reverberations of recent terrorist attacks are hard to ignore. In the aftermath of ISIS’s massacre of more than 130 people on November 13, French authorities have put restrictions in place to clamp down on public demonstrations. In Paris, over 200 activists were arrested after fighting with police at a street leading to the Place de la Republique. Outside of these arrests, protests have been peaceful. Restricted from mass demonstrations because of security concerns, climate change activists placed more than 20,000 pairs of shoes at Place de la Republique as a silent protest.
Around 150 world leaders are due to attend the Paris talks from November 30 through December 11, including President Barack Obama, China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Their job is to forge an accord that could work to avert the most devastating effects of climate change and potentially redefine the economy of the 21st century. According to CBS News, the summit hopes to get world leaders to “agree to deep emissions cuts and to help poor countries cope with global warming.” Failure in Paris could lead to worsening droughts, rising sea tides, food shortages, and other catastrophic events.
Over the weekend, more than 570,000 people gathered worldwide to pressure world leaders to make substantial gains toward protecting the planet. In Paris, its most iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower, played host to projected images calling for a shift to 100 percent renewable energy and the protection of the world’s forests. The installation’s creator, Naziha Mestaoui, said, “I created this installation so that people everywhere can realize what is possible if we come together. We can protect and regrow our forests, we can tap the natural powers of the sun, the wind, the earth, and the sea, and we can build a safer future if we go 100 percent clean energy for everyone.”
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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.