USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to a maximum 175 years in prison on Jan. 24 for sexually assaulting over 150 young female athletes. At his sentencing hearing, the athletes came together to share their stories of abuse, which helped to determine Nassar’s sentence.
“I can’t think of a better scenario,” said Elaine Ducharme, a psychologist in Glastonbury, Connecticut, who specializes in treating trauma from sexual abuse, to The New York Times. “To have the judge hear them, to allow their stories to influence her decisions, and all without putting them through the trauma of an actual trial. Most of them are likely to have felt tremendous relief.”
While the testimony may help these women heal from devastating abuse, their heroism has also inspired others to protect sexual assault survivors. In the wake of the gymnasts’ testimony, Chrissy Teigen and her husband, John Legend, have donated $200,000 to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund. Their donation was listed on its GoFundMe page as “on behalf of the heroic gymnasts on the USA Olympic Team.”
The pledge comes after Teigen announced she’d pay any fines that gymnast McKayla Maroney may incur by participating in the trial. Maroney had signed a nondisclosure agreement in a previous settlement and feared she’d be fined for speaking out again. USA Gymnastics later issued a statement saying that Maroney would not be fined.
The entire principle of this should be fought - an NDA to stay quiet about this serial monster with over 140 accusers, but I would be absolutely honored to pay this fine for you, McKayla. pic.twitter.com/lsBEgEqZpD
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 16, 2018
According to the GoFundMe page, the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund will provide “subsidized legal support to women and men who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace and while in pursuit of their careers.” The fund, which has already reached $19.4 million of its $20 million goal, will be administered by the National Women’s Law Center.
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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.