In 2014, Houston furniture store owner Jim McIngvale offered a deal to his customers who spent more than $6,000 at his store, Gallery Furniture: If the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, he would refund their entire purchase price. The team ended up destroying the Broncos, and McIngvale found himself on the hook for almost $8 million in refunds.
In commemoration of his own 63rd birthday that year, he pledged another refund to customers who spent more than $6,300 if the local Houston Astros won more than 63 games in the regular season. They amassed 70, so once again, McIngvale found himself doling out some serious cash — roughly $4 million this time.
Most recently, McIngvale and Gallery Furniture were in the headlines when he opened his store’s doors to house displaced and endangered victims of Hurricane Harvey.
With the Houston Astros taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers in this year’s World Series, McIngvale finds himself in a similar position — albeit with a little more insurance to hedge his bet. The cavalier business owner is offering refunds on any mattress purchase of more than $3,000 should the Astros steal the World Series from the favored Dodgers in tonight’s decisive Game 7.
His financial exposure on this proposition is estimated at roughly $5 million, but having learned from his previous experiences, McIngvale is hedging by also placing money on the Astros to win through a Las Vegas sportsbook as well as via insurance policies taken out with underwriters.
Here’s “Mattress Mack” detailing the current promotion in a Facebook video:
According to a Las Vegas Journal-Review article, a source estimates that McIngvale took out approximately $1.8 million in bets to hedge his position.
Regardless of the safeguards he’s put in place, there’s little doubt that this risk-taking business owner will be watching tonight’s historic Game 7 with a very vested interest in the outcome. And so will the countless customers who are banking on not just an Astros win, but a free mattress as well.
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
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.