A Beautiful Life…
On August 18th, the world lost a little bit of sunshine when my grandmother known as “Ma” passed away in her home surrounded by people she loved. She was 93 years old and lived a beautiful life. One of her greatest joys in life was her family – she raised six children and always said that her most important and cherished role was being a mother.
As I type this, tears are flowing down my cheeks. I miss her so much already. She was a very special person in my life and played such a huge role in who I am today.
She taught me to live life to the fullest, to laugh often, to dance whenever and wherever possible and to never take any days for granted. I also learned so much from her about being comfortable and confident in my own skin… and letting my authentic self shine.
Anyone who can get a TSA Agent to smile, while getting mad at him for trying to confiscate her full bottle of water that she tried to take through security, has to be pretty special… 🙂
I know many of you have felt a connection to Ma from her presence here on Hip2Save. She absolutely loved being a part of Hip2Save and raved about the Hip2Save community – so thank you for bringing her so much joy throughout the years with your kind and uplifting comments, emails and messages.
Although I am feeling so much loss today, I can’t also help but smile a bit as I picture my grandmother and grandfather together again… smiling down on myself and my family.
I am writing this post on August 20th, my birthday. Today, I not only celebrate my own birth, but I celebrate the amazing life my grandmother led. I celebrate how blessed I am to have gotten to spend so much of my 34 years here on earth with such an amazing person. I celebrate all of the laughs, all of the love, and all of the incredible memories that I’ve had because of having Ma in my life.
Today, I celebrate life and I know she’s right there celebrating it with me.
I love you, Ma. I know you’ll always be by my side.
I’m so sorry for your loss, she sounds like an amazing person!!
I am so sorry for you and your family. Ma was SO SPECIAL. I loved when she was in your videos. There will be a deep hole in your heart and life without her. Bless you,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have always enjoyed her warm, caring smile throughout your posts, and you could just tell that she was a really wonderful person. I can definitely understand your grief, as I too, lost family (both my mother and brother) this year. I am so glad you are able to celebrate her life and I know you will cherish all of the memories you were able to have with her. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. Ma was such a bright light on Hip2save. I loved seeing her. She made me so happy and I kind of thought of her as “Our Grandmother” for a bit.
Collin, I am so sorry to hear about Ma! I have always enjoyed seeing you two together and it makes me think of my relationship with my Mamaw that passed in 2006. Thinking about your family and sending prayers 🙁
So very sorry to hear of your loss, she looked like such an energetic happy lady and I am sure that you felt very blessed to have her. You two look like you had so much fun, that is awesome to have had that relationship in your life. Prayers to you and your family.
I’m so very sorry to hear of your Grandmother’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother. I truly loved seeing her on your segments. She truly was a very special person and her love for you was very evident. May God provide you and your family comfort and peace as you celebrate her wonderful life((♥️)).
I’m so sorry. I had no idea she was that old! She looked like a lady full of pep and vigor! I will truly miss seeing her in your photos.
Colin,
I’m so sad to hear about your loss (and ours, as Ma brought a lot of sunshine to our days in your videos as well). What wonderful memories you were able to build with her throughout the years. I’m sure her heart, spunk, and life lessons will remain with you always.
So sorry for your loss!! 💔😔
How lucky you were to have such a beautiful relationship with your grandma. Sadness of course but a lasting love for always.
Collin, your bond will never be broken. Ma will always be with you. We will miss her body being close by but her smile, her laugh and her words of wisdom will always be in your heart. Prayers to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss Colin.
She was a kindred spirit. She will be missed but never forgotten. RIP, Ma.
I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss. She brought a smile to my face when watching your shopping videos.
Wow. So sad to hear about your grandmother’s death. She was such an active part of your blog. Luckily, you’ll always have the memories.
So sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing woman. What a gift, a complete blessing to have known and loved her. From the photographs you seem to have a very special relationship and she seems like a wonderful woman. Praying she remains with you forever.
Im sad to hear about Ma. Thank you for sharing her with us and introducing her to us so long ago. We’ve been blessed by your family’s sweet examples of love and unity and pure joy. Families really are forever.
Collin I am soooo sorry for your loss. Ma was such a shining star. I love your videos that you post, but the ones she was a part of really made me laughed! I think she reminded me so much of my Nanny! Big, huge, hugs to you and your family! Cherish all the wonderful memories and Ma knew she was loved more than words can express.
So sorry for your loss. I lost my grandmother 20 years ago and it still seems like it was yesterday. May she rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss. I lost my own dear grandmother on the 15th! I will be praying for your family, I know that she will be in your thoughts every moment!!! She was a dear and precious woman!
Crying…for you being without your grandmother and sadness over mine being gone, too. Even though both grandmothers lived several hours away, after I was old enough to drive and started to realize that they wouldn’t always be around, I used to visit them every chance I got. As the one who used to cook and shop got older and had less energy, I recall that often I would just stay at home to help her with something like mending or taking down the curtains for her to wash them, because she was a self-proclaimed “neat-nick”. Your kids are fortunate that they got to see Ma often– not just on special occasions– and will share many of those everyday memories that you are cherishing.
Collin, I am so sorry for you and family’s loss. Praying for you all.
Collin, I love what you wrote about Ma’s life & the included pictures. I’ve re-read it several times. Ma was such a bright light & fun person. It’s clear she has passed that on to your family. Thank you for sharing Ma with us on Hip2Save. I’m so grateful that families are forever & that we can always celebrate life.
So sorry to hear this, Colin! She was a pretty special lady! Praying for you and your family!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful ma with us. She brightened our days too with her infectious smile. Blessings to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss, Collin. Your family is in my prayers.
With love,
Krystal
Oh Collin. I am just finding out about this today. I am so sorry for your loss. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts. Take care.
When I saw “A Beautiful Life” headline, my first thought was- Please not Ma. She looked amazing for 93. I have been a reader of yours for years (before the .com days) and always loved your videos and adventures with Ma. It was clear how much you both adored each other. So so sorry. Blow up and frame that last picture of you and her.
I am so very sorry. I felt like Ma was part of.my own family. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Oh Collin I’m so sorry To hear about Ma! I have been following you for about 5 years now and I have always enjoyed seeing her in your pictures and videos. I feel like you all are apart of my family at times! She was definitely one cool grandma.. I’m in tears….I’m so sorry!
I’m so sorry, Collin! Ma was one of those bright lights in this world, and she will be greatly missed. Thank you for sharing her with us throughout the years. Seeing your adventures together always brightened up my day. {Hugs}
So sorry to hear about your grandma. I loved to see her in your videos. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am so encouraged by the way you loved and cherished your grandmother. So many elderly people end up lonely and depressed in nursing homes. You’ve shown that the elderly deserve respect and can be a part of our lives. Thank you, Colin.
The photos of the times you spent together, reflect a wonderful love. if you listen one can hear the both of you girls giggling. You were fortunate to have a life spent with MA. Shutterfly, make a collage for a large photo or magnet to always have these memories to see & smile. Once again, late as I am-sending sorry for your loss, your grandparents are together & young like you again. MA is always keeping watch over you from heaven.
I missed this when you originally posted it & just heard about it in the comments section of your latest Target video…I’m so sorry for your loss. 🙁 Ma was such a joy to watch!!! Thank you for sharing her with us. 🙂
Thank you for sharing. She was always so funny all dressed up in costumes. What a great grandmother to play along all the time. God bless you all from Iowa!!!
Your Ma was one very special lady and Colin, you are a very blessed lady to have had her in your life!
Have a very Merry Christmas, so sorry for the loss of your grandmother in August. You have an awesome column and I thank you for all the hard work! Happy New Year!
God knew grandmothers were going have an important impact on all of us. They have lived through a lot and understand what is really important in life. They show us love and support in all we do, they take the time to really listen to what we have to say, and they seem to love us unconditionally no matter what we do. Although they have to leave us for a short time, God gave us the sweet memories to hold onto until until we see them again in Heaven.
Merry Christmas!
so sorry for your loss
Colin, Ma is with you everyday. She is in your heart and soul. What a cute and funny Ma. I had a beautiful grandma and sure do miss her as well.