National Education Association president Lily Eskelsen García had an interesting encounter on an airplane recently. When she was seated next to a rather ignorant man who asked her to name the “one” solution to fixing public education, she gave him a pretty brilliant answer. Garcia then goes on to describe the wonderful things teachers do every day to help and educate their students.
Teacher Shuts Down Plane Passenger’s Ignorant Question About Her Job
“I wish I hadn’t been so snotty to that guy, but it was fun.”
By Katie FelberNov 13, 2015
Katie Felber
Katie Felber is a writer, comedian, and rapper based in Los Angeles by way of the Pleiades star cluster nearly 444.2 light years away. She first interned for GOOD back in '07 and made her mark by keeping the office stocked with tons of organic and affordable snacks. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 2010 with a B.A. in Rhetoric and Film Studies, she spent a couple years in the trenches of Hollywood producing comedy and avoiding reptilian shapeshifters at all costs. Her writing has been featured in Huffington Post, Thought Catalog, several hundred napkins in the Bay Area, and now recently, GOOD! When she is not pondering the philosophical distribution of space in Yogurtland and other mainstream food chains, she can be found alone in her room, blasting thousands of snapchats out to her wide network of virtual friends, or hitting up doctors on Tinder for free medical advice.
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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.