Gracie Bucher is an 8th grader, which means that she and her peers are certainly old enough to understand the concept of rules and what the penalties are for breaking them. However, she’s way ahead of the curve when it comes to lessons in humanity, all thanks to a compassionate 12th-grade competitor in a recent cross country race.
Liana Blomgren of Mountain Lake High School had the finish line in sight when she saw Gracie of Windom, Minnesota ahead of her, staggering and then collapsing face-first into the ground. Gracie got up under her own power, but then immediately collapsed again. Repeated efforts to stand were met with fall after fall. Her mom, watching from the stands, called the sight “excruciating.” Knowing the rules, Gracie’s mom, Missy, didn’t approach her daughter since any contact would mean disqualification.
Liana, having witnessed Gracie’s struggle from behind her, knew the rules as well, but chose to disregard them to come to the aid of her competitor, a stranger. She recalls to KARE 9 News, “I knew she wasn’t going to get to the finish line by herself and I knew that she needed somebody and nobody else was there for her.”
Stopping above her, she pulled Gracie up to her feet then supported her weight as the two crossed the finish line arm-in-arm.
They both finished and were both disqualified. Gracie would later find out that she had run the race while battling mononucleosis. Liana’s dad and trainer, Kyle, supports her decision to take the DQ to help someone in need. He says, “I don’t believe there’s another sport where an athlete would be allowed on the field in that condition. And it took an 18-year-old girl to step in and help.”
Naturally, many who learned of Liana’s act are upset at the disqualification, but Liana’s certainly made her peace with it. She says, “I don’t remember what place I was in the section meet last year. I don’t remember what place I was in the section meet the year before that. But I know I’m going to remember this.”
It looks like she may emerge from the experience with a new friend, as well.
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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.