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, Collin. May you be comforted with the wonderful memories of your Grandmother. This is a beautiful tribute to someone who meant so much to you. And Happy Birthday to you!
So sorry for your loss. May her soul rest in perfect peace. Hope you have a blessed birthday
Awe, so sorry to hear about Ma. She was truly a gem! Big hugs to you.
A beautiful tribute! Prayers for your family as you celebrate her life!
Sorry Collin. We will pray for you and your family. My daughter enjoyed seeing your videos with Ma. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Prayers and hugs*
So sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss.
Celebrating your life here on earth and your MA in Heaven. May God comfort you and your family. God bless you!
So sorry for your loss, I feel like I’ve lost one of my own. As my 96 year old Grandmother says, I’ve lived a life full of happy memories, make sure you go out and make memories so that when you’re my age you have them all to look back on. I’m sure in 93 years Ma made so many special memories and her only wish for you would be to do the same. Thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss 🙁 It feels like a part of my family passed as tears came to my eyes when I read this post 🙁 Always a smile on her face when we saw her on here. Now she smiles down on us 🙂
So sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. Our family loved your posts with her. May Ma rest in peace. Hugs to you Collin!
I am so sorry for your loss Collin. I always smiled when I saw your videos with her. I am gonna call my special aunt that is like my grandmother and give her love.
Thanks for sharing Ma with all of us! We will miss her, too.
So sorry for your loss! I enjoyed all the posts with Ma they were all so heartwarming and friendly! Makes me feel like I know you both personally. Thanks for all you do!
Blessed to have “known” her through your site. Sending prayers & good thoughts to your family…(((HUGS)))
So Sorry for your loss…you and Ma always make me smile!!! Happy Birthday!
So sorry for your life. She brought a smile to my face
*loss
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thanks for sharing Ma with us. You are blessed to have had such a wonderful woman on your life.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Beautiful story! What a sweet blessing she was…to all!
So sorry for your loss…..what a beautiful tribute to her that you celebrate your birthday with her home going.
I’m sorry for sadness of your love one. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Think of her often for she will always be with you in spirit. I think you should celebrate your birthday I think she would have wanted this! May God bless you and your family at this time. Have a blessed Birthday!
Rest in peace Ma… Miss u…
So sorry for your loss.
Looks like she had a wonderful life.
RIP “Ma”.
:'( I’m so sorry for your loss, I truly enjoyed Ma’s presence in your videos. I’m fortunate to have one remaining Grandparent in my life (my Grandma from my mother’s side) & I cherish every moment with her when I visit. I know Ma’s singing Happy Birthday & doing a funky dance for ya Collin :’) All the strength & love to you and your family. And thank Ma for blessing us with her smile 🙂
So sorry for your loss. Loved “Ma” in all your fun videos. Prayers sent to you and your family. Happy Birthday!
We will lift your family up in prayer – for sweet memories and God’s peace.
So sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss. Hip2Save won’t be the same without Ma. She was such a joy to see and your relationship with her was endearing. Wishing your family comfort during this time.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved watching her in your shopping videos. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss Collin. Prayers to you and your family during this difficult time. I hope you’re able to enjoy your birthday in some special way.
So sorry for your loss. I love the videos you made with Ma. Ohhh we’ll surely miss her here. Deep condolences and i pray God will give you and your family comfort and strength. Rest in peace ‘Ma. Hugs Collin…
I’m so sorry for you and your family’s loss. I will miss seeing her in the videos. Virtual hug to you. Treasure the great memories you have.
I’ve followed hip2save for awhile now and was always in “aww” of your relationship with Ma. I am deeply saddened for your family. May God bless your family and give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
I am so, so, so sorry for your loss! When I pulled up your site just now to see what the latest deal was, and saw the title and the picture, my eyes watered up instantly and my heart sank. I was afraid to keep reading. Ma was a beautiful woman, a ray of sunshine, and she will definitely be missed by us Hip2Savers. We fell in love with her the first time you shared her with us! I have been on here since Blogger, so I have followed this site for quite a while, and have enjoyed Ma every time she has showed up. Thank you for sharing Ma with us, you are all in my prayers. May your beautiful generous grandma, mom to 6, rest in peace and enjoy eternal glory and may her positive beautiful life be celebrated!
Heaven has a new and wonderful angel. Do not despair. Her beauty and spirit lives on in you and your children. Cheers to your birthday, and to your Ma, who had a life well lived!
Collin and family, So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the great memories you have made and will always treasure. She was a joy to see and watch on this Hip2save community and will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please remember to take time for yourself during this difficult time!
So sorry for your loss!! You are an amazing person!!
Sorry about your loss. May she rest in peace
Prayers of comfort and peace. She was a beautiful, lively woman, and you take after her so much. Celebrating her life seems like exactly how she would want to be remembered.
So sorry for your loss. I always liked seeing your photos and how close you two were. Will pray for comfort.
I so enjoyed seeing her with you in the posts. I am sorry for your loss.
God Bless her soul. Prayers coming to her!
I’m sorry for your loss, please accept my sympathy.
I am so sorry for your loss! I loved seeing her in your pictures and videos – she seemed like such a wonderful woman.
So sorry to hear that Ma has passed. She was always a joy to watch when you featured her in your videos. My thoughts, prayers, and love are with you and you entire family during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. My grandfather pass away as well last week and it’s truly amazing how much grandparents bring to your life. May she rest in peace.