When Nevest Coleman was convicted of the 1994 rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman, his confession served to remove any lingering doubt that he was innocent. However, 23 years after he was spared the death penalty, at least in part by his coworkers’ testimonials, he’s returned to his job a free man.
DNA evidence substantiated by the Exoneration Project at the University of Chicago Law School proved Coleman did not commit the crimes he was convicted of. After more than 20 years in prison, his name has been cleared and his freedom restored.
During his incarceration, Coleman spoke of his hope to one day return to his duties as a groundskeeper for the Chicago White Sox. Once his innocence was established and his release imminent, Coleman’s friends and family worked to ensure that his distant dream became reality. His loved ones’ pleas to the team resulted in a job interview that took Coleman back to the job he loved after a nightmarish disruption.
His first day back was spent surveying his new workspace, reuniting with a few familiar faces, then getting to work cleaning the turf. The job serves as one of the few constants in Coleman’s new life as he re-enters society after his unjust incarceration. "I was in a situation where I felt comfortable here and everybody here was family to me," he said to local news station WGN.
The team has publicly welcomed Coleman “back to the White Sox family.”
The conviction of Coleman and another man, Darryl Fulton, stemmed from confessions coerced by police brutality and accounts from officers previously known to lie to obtain a conviction. After Fulton and Coleman were released from prison, Fulton filed a civil rights suit against the police officers and the detectives responsible.
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We could start a rumor.
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.