Living legend Serena Williams will not be defending her Australian Open title this month. Although she originally intended to play just five months after the arrival of her first child, Alexis Olympia, Williams endured near-fatal complications after giving birth that slowed her recovery.
In September, Williams gave birth to her daughter via emergency C-section after the baby’s heart rate dropped to a dangerously low level. The surgery went perfectly, and Williams was over the moon with her new addition. “That was an amazing feeling,” Serena told Vogue. “And then everything went bad.”
The next day, while resting in bed, Williams felt short of breath and immediately knew what the problem was: embolisms. In 2003, after a slip on broken glass at a restaurant in Munich, Germany, Williams developed several life-threatening blood clots in her leg. Since then, Williams has been on a strict regimen of blood thinners, but she stopped taking them due to the C-section.
Williams immediately hopped out of bed and told a nurse that she needed an IV of blood thinners and a CT scan right away. Unsure whether Williams was having a negative reaction to her pain medication or a serious problem, her doctor did an ultrasound on her legs and found nothing. Her doctor then ordered a CT scan and found several small blood clots in her lungs. “I was like, listen to Dr. Williams,” she told Vogue.
The intense coughing caused by the embolisms in her lungs caused Williams to rip open her C-section incision. When Williams went back into surgery, doctors then found a large hematoma had flooded her abdomen. The hemorrhaging was caused by the lifesaving blood thinners she took to fight the embolism.
Now that Williams’ health scare is behind her, she wants to get back on the court to win at least two more Grand Slam titles. Currently, Williams has 23 — one more would surpass the record held by Australian legend Margaret Court. “To be honest, there’s something really attractive about the idea of moving to San Francisco [with her husband-to-be, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian] and just being a mom,” Williams said. “But not yet. Maybe this goes without saying, but it needs to be said in a powerful way: I absolutely want more Grand Slams.”
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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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.