Sometimes the difference between winning and losing is having something — or someone — special to play for.
T.J. Oshie of the Washington Capitals says he’s been inspired to play well for a 10-year-old girl with cancer as his team takes on the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Capitals were leading the series 2-1 at the time of this story, and Oshie thought some of that had to do with his good luck charm, Addy Flint from Alexandria, Virginia. Oshie and Flint first met in November 2016 at the Capitals’ Hockey Fights Cancer skate for children from Make-A-Wish’s Mid-Atlantic chapter.
The two were paired at the event and immediately struck a bond.
“Right away, we just started chatting,” Oshie told NHL.com. “She wasn’t shy asking me questions, and usually it’s the other way around. They’re usually quiet. We just hit it off right away and I thought she was a really special girl, a really awesome family. We just became friends.”
Flint was first diagnosed with kidney cancer when she was 4. Her cancer went into remission, but it re-emerged in 2017. “She just didn’t seem like a person who could be kept down by anything,” Oshie said. “I’m a very positive guy and I thought that was an amazing quality for her to have in her situation. She’s always smiling.”
After the two hit it off, they continued corresponding through text messages, social media, and email. Flint has gone to see Oshie play twice, both times wearing her lucky ladybug earrings.
They must have worked; the Capitals have won both games she’s attended.
The most recent game Flint attended was Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 19, and Oshie even scored the winning goal.
Flint recently stopped her chemotherapy treatments because they were too strong for her weakened immune system, so watching the Capitals play is a much-needed reprieve from the stress of her illness.
“I’m worried about getting sick again, and watching the Caps makes me forget it,” she told NHL.com. “It gives me something to focus on. I love watching the games, especially T.J.”
Flint has an appointment with her doctor in the first week of June to see if her cancer is in remission.
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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.