In the wake of Friday’s deadly Oakland warehouse party fire that killed at least 36 people, the city’s professional sports teams are raising funds for victims and their families.
MLB’s Oakland Athletics set up a YouCaring page this weekend to solicit donations for fire assistance and relief, promising to match up to $30,000. The NFL’s Oakland Raiders joined the campaign and made the same pledge. On Monday the two teams announced they would each match up to $50,000.
Sunday night, the NBA’s Golden State Warriors also announced a $50,000 donation to help families affected by the fire, which is believed to be one of the worst in the city’s history. “We’re all with you out here,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said at Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, before which the arena held a moment of silence for the victims. “We’re devastated today.”
The joint Athletics-Raiders campaign reached its target fundraising goal, but you can still donate to the official fire relief fund, organized by local arts nonprofit Gray Area Foundation for the Arts. The foundation is working with Oakland authorities to support funeral, medical, and health-related expenses for affected families.
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.