April Holmes is a world-class athlete who lost her left leg in a train accident in 2001. Now she’s favored to win the gold medal in track and field at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
When she lost her leg nearly 14 years ago, Holmes vowed to make it to the Paralympics and ended up doing so just a few years later, at the summer games in Athens, Greece, where she set two world records and won the bronze medal in the long jump.
Having recently won the NCAA Inspiration Award, Holmes was just featured as the star of BMW’s Paralympics campaign commercial.*
Check it out:
When she’s not training, Holmes runs the April Holmes Foundation, a nonprofit that assists and helps raise awareness around people with physical and learning disabilities. She is also a sought-after speaker and has made appearances on NBC’s Today, The Early Morning Show on CBS, Fox, ESPN and BBC, as well as being reported on in Forbes, and Oprah Winfrey’s magazine O. Holmes was recently named one of the International Paralympic Committee’s “Top 10 Women in Paralympic Sport.” She serves as a U.S. Paralympic & U.S. Anti-Doping Ambassador, and has assisted First Lady Michelle Obama on the “Let’s Move” campaign.
No matter your background or ability level, the Holmes motto of “Let’s Make Greatness a Habit” is beyond inspiring.
*This is a car commercial. GOOD was not paid to promote this video (we just thought it was really cool).
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
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.