THE GOOD NEWS:
Dwyane Wade honored the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School without side-stepping the gun control debate.
As a star athlete, it must be impossible to grasp the effect you have on people’s lives. On Sunday, Feb. 25, Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade learned he was a hero to one of the 17 people who died in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida.
According to Univision, one of the victims of the shooting, 17-year-old Joaquin Oliver, was laid to rest in his Dwyane Wade jersey. Wade was obviously upset by the news.
You’re about to make me cry this afternoon https://t.co/rWFsQcxlYc
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 25, 2018
On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Heat played their first home game since the shooting. Miami is about 50 miles from Parkland, Florida, so the team held a pre-game memorial featuring a Marjory Stoneman Douglas flag at center court. Wade was able to share some heartfelt words with the audience while making an appeal for improved gun safety.
.@DwyaneWade delivers a stirring pregame speech at AmericanAirlines Arena, telling the survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last week that they are a inspiration to this country. #MSDStrong #HeatCulture pic.twitter.com/yycLWsxp3F
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) February 25, 2018
“Tonight we honor the 17 lives that were tragically lost in Parkland,” Wade said. “We applaud the fearless students who are fighting for their lives, and we also want to make sure that their voices are heard about gun safety. You are our nation’s inspiration, we salute you and we support you.”
While some athletes would have side-stepped the controversial gun control debate and just honored the students, Wade took a stance, and it wasn’t the first time. In 2016, Wade’s cousin was gunned down in Chicago, and he used his celebrity to promote gun safety in the city. “There’s other cities that have way tougher gun laws. We have weak gun laws,” Wade said.
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.