While the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians to win their first World Series in 108 years on a rainy Wednesday night in Ohio, thousands of Chicagoans swarmed outside Wrigley Field to celebrate. Amidst the raucous street ceremony, fans turned the outside of the stadium’s right field wall into a memorial to loved ones who died before seeing the Cubs break their championship drought.
According to DNAinfo, unopened boxes of chalk appeared outside the stadium over the weekend. Throughout the week fans canvassed the brick wall with encouraging messages to the team. On Wednesday, locals transformed the wall into a tribute, writing dedications to lost friends and family.
“I don’t exactly know what the point is,” Jay Sirois, who wrote the name of his deceased father on the wall, told The Athletic. “But it feels good to come here today, make them a part of it.”
Like the World Series itself, the spontaneous memorial is a bridge to history, preserving memories of relationships that wouldn’t be the same without shared rooting interests and shared hopes. Scroll for more photos of the wall. For anyone who learned how to love a team from their parents or grandparents, you may want to grab a tissue.
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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.