At the age of 80, she's 'riding a/the wave of' renewed interest in her work. [=she's experiencing a time when many people are interested in her work again]
The traffic cop 'waved' cars 'through'. [=waved in a way that told drivers to continue driving through a particular area]
The new school has triggered a 'wave' of optimism [=has made many people feel optimistic] about the public school system.
(..) every night. Why do we have to... Please continue. The children look like burnt paper, black, not moving. Then the blast wave hits them... ...and they fly apart like leaves. Dreams about the end of the world are very common, Sarah. It's not a dream, you moron. It's real. (..)1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day