Mike Pence recently made a dubious overture to openly gay Olympian Adam Rippon while fitting in not just one, but two references to “fake news” in his tweets.
Recently, reports emerged that Rippon, a figure skater, had declined a meeting with the vice president to discuss his public fight against Pence’s legacy of homophobia. Pence traveled to South Korea to lead the U.S. delegation of athletes, including Rippon, in the opening ceremonies.
Rippon said to USA Today before the games, “If it were before my event, I would absolutely not go out of my way to meet somebody who I felt has gone out of their way to not only show that they aren’t a friend of a gay person but that they think that they’re sick. I wouldn’t go out of my way to meet somebody like that.”
These were the remarks Pence appeared to be referencing with a pair of tweets sent on the eve of the opening ceremony.
Complicating matters further is a subsequent televised stance by Kelly Rippon, Adam’s mom, who stated that the Olympian had not ruled out a meeting with Pence despite his comments. She also took Pence to task on his administration’s endemic reliance on the cry of “fake news” to spin a narrative in their favor. She said in the video below, “I just think that, that — that when people keep saying that word ‘fake news’ over and over again, it implies that you can do things and you can never be held accountable for them because you just say that it’s fake. That repetition of that term, I don’t think, is good.”
While Pence bizarrely seems to belabor what appears to be an otherwise cut-and-dry issue, Rippon has remained silent in recent days, wisely choosing to focus on his Olympian tasks rather than engage the vice president in … whatever it is he’s trying to do.
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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.