Fossil Ridge High School quarterback Max Akin is a winner. Not only because his team is undefeated and he was crowned homecoming king, but because he knows the power of positivity. Recently, during a halftime ceremony where he was crowned homecoming king, the 17-year-old Texas senior did the unthinkable. He gave the crown to the runner-up, his friend K.L. Norwood. “He gave me a hug, and then he said, ‘I love you,’ and then he gave it to me,” Norwood told TODAY.
“I didn’t know like when I’d have the right time to do it,” Akin told WFAA Dallas. Akin believes that Norwood deserves the crown because he exhibits an amazing attitude even though he struggles with cerebral palsy. “I think it should have gone to the person who positively uplifts the school and everyone around him the most,” Akin said. “That person is K.L. for sure.” Norwood had no problem accepting the crown either. “It was absolutely terrific,” Norwood said.
Instead of seeing homecoming as a popularity contest, Akin used the event as an opportunity to give the attention to someone deserving. “If you spread a little bit of love and compassion around, that’s all we really need and something lacking in today’s world—a little bit of positivity every once in a while,” he said. “As corny as it may sound, treat everyone as you deserve to be treated, just like K.L. does every day.” To many, the story of a hot-shot high school quarterback giving back may seem out of the ordinary, but not for those who know Akin. “He’s got a big heart. He treats everyone like that, which is why he gets along with everyone,” said Fossil Ridge football coach Tony Baccarini. “He’s just a great spirit.”
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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.