After North Carolina passed the first statewide law to ban using a restroom different from the gender on one’s birth certificate, musicians, filmmakers, artists, and local governments across the country responded with boycotts and travel bans. On Monday, the National Collegiate Athletics Association announced its own sanctions: All seven NCAA championship events scheduled this year in North Carolina will be relocated.
“The NCAA Board of Governors made this decision because of the cumulative actions taken by the state concerning civil rights protections,” the association wrote on Monday. North Carolina’s laws, the NCAA said, “make it challenging to guarantee” an “inclusive atmosphere” for athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans.
North Carolina passed the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, commonly known as HB2, in March. The National Basketball Association responded in June by pulling the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte. “We do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2,” the league said at the time.
These are the seven NCAA championships affected:
- 2016 Division I Women’s Soccer Championship (Cary)
- 2016 Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships (Greensboro)
- 2017 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, first/second rounds (Greensboro)
- 2017 Division I Women’s Golf Championships, regional (Greenville)
- 2017 Division III Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships (Cary)
- 2017 Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship (Cary)
- 2017 Division II Baseball Championship (Cary)
In response to the announcement, the North Carolina Republican Party issued a truly mystifying statement claiming the NCAA wants to destroy women’s sports by creating “unisex teams.”
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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.