In November of 2016, photographer Al Kamalizad worked with filmmaker and journalist Aaron Ohlmann to document the effects of ongoing war in Iraq on those displaced by the conflict.
War As A Way Of Life
Some people call for help. Others take selfies
By Al Kamalizad,
Al Kamalizad
Al Kamalizad is a filmmaker, animator, and photographer in Los Angeles by way of Tehran. His recent projects include a portrait of young journalists changing their field, a fictional documentary about a love story between a space shuttle and Planet Earth, and an animated holiday card about a Syrian family in harm’s way. He’s currently curious about how a social media feed can become the next iteration of long-form journalism.
Aaron Ohlmann
Aaron Ohlmann is a filmmaker who has lived and worked in Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood, and Hillywood. He produced the feature documentary Viva Cuba Libre in Havana, shot episodes of VICE's Black Market: Dispatches in West Africa and Japan, spent a year working with the UN's Rwandan Genocide Tribunal, sometimes lectures at the Beijing Film Academy, and directs projects for brands, bands and NGOs worldwide.
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.