When the Pittsburgh Pirates called up Gift Ngoepe from the minors this week to join the big league club for the first time, he had a fan club half a world away eagerly awaiting his debut. Because when he took the field in the fourth inning of the game last night, Ngoepe became the first African-born player to appear in a Major League game.
“It means a lot to people back home. I’ve been getting a lot of messages today from my friends and family. I’ve had a tremendous crowd from South Africa cheering me on,” Ngoepe told reporters after the game.
With all the love from supporters back home, by the time his history-making moment arrived, it nearly overwhelmed Ngoepe. He admitted after the game that he had to hold back tears when he found out he was going in the game. But he was able to steady those nerves, and in his first ever at bat, he singled up the middle off of Chicago Cubs starter Jon Lester.
Ngoepe said he’s dreamt of playing in the Major Leagues since he was 10, but it had to have felt a distant dream considering no one from the suburbs of his Johannesburg home, let alone the entire African continent, had ever made it to the highest levels of baseball. Pittsburgh scouts first spotted him at an MLB academy in Italy and signed him to a minor league deal back in 2008. He toiled in the minor leagues since then, becoming one of the team’s best defensive prospects. When the club struggled on defense to start this season—the Pirates lead the league in errors—they called up Ngoepe to play second base.
After the a great debut, where he also drew a walk to go with his hit, he stood by his locker and reflected on what it meant for him to finally make it to the top of his sport.
“It means that it doesn't matter where you come from,” Ngoepe said. “No matter where you are or who you are, you can still make it no matter what country.”
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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.