There’s an age-old saying that goes something like, “Don’t talk smack if you can’t back it up.” Yesterday, David Johnson of Mayville, North Dakota put his putter where his mouth is at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club after being called out by a golf legend. While standing in the gallery watching four-time major champion Rory McIlroy and Sweden’s highest-ranked player, Henrik Stenson, struggling to make a 12-foot practice putt, Johnson yelled that even he could make the shot. So Stenson invited him to come down from the gallery and back it up.
Johnson walked out of the gallery to a roaring crowd while English golfer Justin Rose upped the ante by throwing a hundred-dollar bill on the green next to the ball. Johnson took a few practice strokes, got a good read on the green, gestured to the crowd to be quiet, then he sunk the putt. The crowd went wild and then Johnson hugged it out with the men who asked him to show his stuff.
“Man, that was fun. What just happened?” Johnson told reporters. “I razzed them a little bit and they heard me which is insane. And then they brought me out which was more insane. Overall, that was a pretty cool experience. I would do it all over again if I could.” When asked how he approached the shot, Johnson admitted he was nervous as could be. “I closed my eyes, swallowed my puke, and hit the putt and it happened to go in.”
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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.