Expectations weren't terribly high for Joe Biden on Thursday night when he made his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention.
Biden has the innate ability to express his passion for America and its people, but his age and stuttering problem have diminished his public speaking skills over the past few years.
President Trump has childishly portrayed him as "sleepy" and confused.
The DNC even broadcast a vignette on Biden's history of stuttering before his speech in what appeared to be a clever attempt to temper expectations.
There was no doubt that some Trump supporters watched the speech with giddy delight, waiting for a gaffe, while Biden's supporters clenched their teeth hoping all the words would come out right.
But Biden delivered a masterful 24-minute speech that showed zero signs of any speech problems or age-related decline. Throughout his address, Biden naturally ran the emotional spectrum. He was quiet and somber when he discussed the pain of losing a loved one to COVID-19.
He was strong and passionate when discussing Trump's coziness with dictators.
After the speech, there was no doubt that Joe Biden still has the mental, physical, and spiritual fortitude to take on Donald Trump and, possibly, the toughest job on earth.
If the Republican Party's plan was to disqualify Biden for his age and mental acuity, they must have been scrambling to find a new line of attack on Friday morning.
In his speech, Biden chastised Trump for ignoring Russian bounties on the heads of American soldiers and derided the president's claim that the white supremacists who marched with torches in Charlottesville, Virginia were "good people."
He hit Trump hardest on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic saying, "The President keeps telling us the virus is going to disappear. He keeps waiting for a miracle."
"Well, I have news for him: no miracle is coming. After all this time, the President still does not have a plan," Biden continued. "Well, I do."
The speech was also powerful because it was directed at "all Americans," not just his own party. It stood in sharp contrast with Trump's hyper-partisan presidency that has made practically no effort to appeal to anyone outside of his base.
As expected, the speech received praise from those on his side of the aisle.
The speech was also received praise from Fox News, an outlet that has not been overly kind to the Democratic nominee.
"I thought that he blew a hole, a big hole, in that characterization," Chris Wallace said. "It seems to me that after tonight, Donald Trump is going to have to run against a candidate, not a caricature. The Democrats have had a good convention, now it's the Republicans' turn."
Fox News host Bret Baier was similarly positive about Biden's performance.
"He's not known for his public speaking, but this ― I've been seeing him speak on the stump many, many times ― was the best he's been as far as his delivery," Baier said.
Fox News host Dana Perino said Biden "hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth."
"He had pace, rhythm, energy, emotion and delivery," she said. "I think if he looks back, he's gonna say, that's probably the best speech of his life."
Even Karl Rove offered gracious praise, saying Biden portrayed himself as a unifier.
"He did so very effectively and if I were a Republican strategist in the Trump campaign, I'd be worried about how long and how effectively he carries that theme forward," Rove said. "Because that's the thing that will keep the swing voters in his camp ― if they are in his camp ― or bring them to him."
In his speech, Biden said this is "our moment to make hope and history rhyme." On Thursday night, that moment may have happened.
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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.