For the better part of two decades, Serena Williams has been not only a dominant tennis player but one of the most prominent athletes the world has ever seen. However, her reign over the sport took a brief pause for motherhood during her pregnancy and the Sept. 1, 2017, birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. The months that followed found Williams mostly out of the public eye (as much as possible for an athlete of her stature, anyway), and she later revealed she had battled a life-threatening pulmonary embolism after her daughter’s birth.
Now that she’s returning to the game as a mother, fans can’t help but expect that she’ll have something to prove in the lead-up to her Grand Slam return at the French Open in May 2018. In a rare personal look into Williams’ life, HBO is offering a glimpse behind the scenes in the tennis legend’s docuseries “Being Serena.” The series will look at “Williams’ pregnancy, the birth of her child, her new marriage, and her return to the court,” according to HBO.
The five-part series will tackle not only her return to the game but also how she reconciles her position as a sports icon with her new roles as a mother and wife. She’s proven capable of conquering every obstacle in her path from a professional standpoint, but with the stakes shifting, the series will look at how she continues to progress and adapt while the whole world watches.
“Being Serena” premieres May 2, 2018, on HBO, with each of the five parts airing on Wednesdays thereafter.
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.