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.
My condolences to you and your family
Sorry for your loss. 🙁
So sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss! I’ve had two grandparents pass away and truly understand your pain. I love watching the relationship you had in the videos that you posted. Glad I got to meet her thru your posts!
Sorry for your loss, I have tears in my eyes.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I will miss seeing Ma in your videos. 🙁
Loved watching the videos with Ma in it……Heaven got a wonderful Angel. xoxo
So sorry for your loss, Collin
So sorry for your loss.
Your family will be in my prayers.
Words can’t express our deepest condolences to you and your family, Collin. We will all miss her cheerful spirit so much!
I’m so sorry for your loss. Ma was a bright and shining gal whose love for you was so apparent. And happy birthday to you. What a bittersweet day for you.
You are so blessed to have had such a wonderful grandmother. Happy birthday.
Sorry for your loss Collin. Happy Birthday
Oh, Collin. I am so very sorry for your loss. She was a precious, one-of-a-kind lady. Thanks for sharing her with us over the years. Prayers, thoughts, and hugs headed your way. This post is a beautiful tribute to such a beautiful lady.
My condolences to you Collin.
Prayers for you and your family! She looks like an amazing lady! She will always be with you!
I am so sorry for you lost. She was very special and loved beyond measures. Thank you for sharing her with us. I am very grateful. May God bless you and your family.
Collin, I am truly sorry for your loss. This tribute was beautiful.
The loss of great people is out of control the last few weeks!! How lucky are we all to have gotten to have a piece of her in all of those wonderful coupon videos!! I love when she was driving the cart at Target and ran into the display, and also love when she was taste testing the candy during one of your great coupon trips!! Thank you Collin for everything you do but also for sharing your wonderful Grandmother with us all!!!
**♡ I can imagine her doing a little coupon dance with your grandfather in heaven♡** RIP MA!
Happy Birthday! So sorry for your loss, but am glad that you have years of memories to treasure. Thinking of you.
So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers for your family.
So very sorry for your family’s loss – her smile always brought a smile to my heart. Your family is in my pryaers
Sorry for your loss Collin. And thank you for the wonderful contribution you make to my family and many others. I absolutely love your blog. Warm thoughts are with your family today
I’m so sorry, but you are so right about the joy she has now in her eternal home and reunited once again with your grandfather. Saying a prayer of peace and strength for you right now. Celebrate your birthday and each day like no other. ❤️
Family is so precious. So sorry for your loss.
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
She was truly a Hip grandma! You were a wonderful granddaughter to her. She was the highlight of your shopping videos.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. What an incredible legacy she left! May you feel of her presence and keep a special place in your heart for her cherished memories. What a beautiful tribute to an incredible woman!
Soooo Sad….Prayers. She was SUCH a joy to watch!!! (you must take after her!) (Big HUGS!!)
So sorry for your loss.
1st time poster, long time follower. If any time warrants a post, it is today. Happy Birthday, but more importantly, condolences on the loss of what looks like in limited pictures, an AMAZING woman. I like to think, the harder it hurts, the more love there was between a loved one and their lost one. I imagine you hurt tremendously. God Bless you and your family.
Bill M in Herculaneum MO
I am deeply saddened to read of your loss. We all loved the videos and stories of your Ma. She seemed so happy and vibrant. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Oh Collin, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ma. I know the two of you had a special bond. I enjoyed seeing her in your Target videos. She always made me smile. Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.
Colkin and team – tears are streaming down my face! Loved ma’s spunky attitude. Thank you for sharing. I will miss her!
Her smile is absolutely beautiful. She has been blessed with a wonderful life & beautiful children and grandchildren. May God be with you to comfort and guide you during this difficult time. Oxoxo.
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I know that your many wonderful memories of her will be a blessing. With deepest sympathies…
I am so,so sorry for your loss. You know if there are deals and coupons up in heaven she is already on top of it!! (((hugs)))
My condolences to you and your family Collin. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Collin, your grandmother was such a beautiful lady inside and out. She made total strangers laugh at her antics and I see her so much in you. Your family was blessed to have her for so many years, but it is never long enough with the ones you hold so dear.
I sat down for a few minutes during a hard “mom day” and read your post. I am smiling and crying at the same time and pray I can be like your Ma when I grow up. What a great lady.
Many hugs and prayers for you and yours. 🙂
Condolences to you and your family. She was one special lady! Thank you for sharing her with us. She certainly made me smile! Happy Birthday Colin. Your heart hurts, but she is still with you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. My husband and I both enjoyed seeing your videos together. How wonderful that you have those videos now for memories.
Very sorry for your loss Collin 🙁 Will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Your postings with Ma always brought such a smile to my face. Happy Birthday to you and may Ma RIP
So sorry for your loss. To us, it looks like she lived a wonderful and happy life. Your family has now has a beautiful guardian angel. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss Collin. I will definitely miss seeing her in the Hip2Save videos. She was definitely a ray of sunshine!
Collin! I am so sorry for ur loss. We always loved Ma and her presence. She made us smile whenever she appears. We terribly going to miss the lovable and an energetic Ma…
So sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family will miss seeing Ma in your videos
I choked up reading the post. Very sorry for your loss. U will be in our prayers.
What a blessing that you were able to spend time with Ma this past year. And what a blessing Ma was to all of us as we enjoyed your videos together. Praying for your family today! Thanks for sharing Ma!
What absolutely beautiful and fun memories you have with her. She is adorable and brought smiles to us all SO many times. Big hugs to you and your family! ❤️❤️
My sincere sympathy to you and your entire family, Collin. Thank you so much for sharing Ma with all of us.