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.
Oh Collin, I started to cry as I read this. What a dear lady your grandmother was. I felt like we got to know her and be inspired by her zest for life. I am so sorry for the grief you and your family are facing as loss is never easy. Blessings to you and your family. Thank you for allowing us to “meet” and “know” such an incredible woman through this blog.
Sorry for you loss. Prayers to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss, Collin. I could tell you guys were close, and have a special bond. You always will have your angel watching over you. Xo. Prayers to you. Happy Birthday!
What a beautiful tribute to your amazing grandmother. My deepest sympathies.
Prayers, hugs and peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. I also want to thank you for letting her touch all of our lives as well. She was an amazing woman. She will be missed!!! 🙁
So sorry for your loss! Those are wonderful pictures and it looked like you two had a beautiful time. Beautiful tribute for a beautiful soul. Happy Birthday to you also.
So sorry for your loss. But, Happy Birthday! I’m sure she was so proud of who you are and how many people you help.
So sorry for your loss
Collin I’m so sorry for your loss! Seeing “Ma” in videos and posts on Hip2Save always brightened my day. My own Grandfather passed away just days before my 30th birthday, so I know how very difficult that can be. It’s wonderful to see this post celebrating the time you shared with “Ma”. I hope your memories will bring you comfort. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
So much sorry for ur loss.
I will miss her too.
Sorry for your loss, Collin.
So sorry for your loss Collin. I loved seeing the target videos you did with you and her in them. May she rest in peace. Blessings to you and your family through this difficult time
Collin, on Aug. 3 it was one year since my own sweet Grammy passed. I was closer to her than anyone else on this earth and my world is definitely missing a big part. She was my constant. Thanking God for the precious time you got with Ma…and praying for peace for you in the difficult days ahead. What a blessed famiky you were, to have eachother and that special relationship. Much love to you and your family!
I am so sorry for your loss.
Prayers of peace and healing for you and you family.
So sorry for your loss!! Thinking of you all and your family’s today
First I want to say happy birthday. I am so sorry that you are going through the pain of losing your Ma. I know how hard it is. You have a HUGE support system and like you said, her and your grandfather are looking down protecting you from here on out. You are huge inspritation to all of us. I feel like I know you, how strange is that? Thank you for taking the time to do everything you do for us. You and your family will be in my prayers. XOXO.
I’m so sorry for your loss Collin. I have been following you for a long time, and I thought it was wonderful that you included your grandmother in your life so much (and sharing her with us). Sadly, I wasn’t mature enough while my grandmother was alive to spend enough time with her and enjoy how wonderful she was.
Collin & Family – Very sad to hear about your grandma’s passing. She always brought such joy in your postings and videos. Thanks for having her be part of your post. May your find comfort in all the wonderful memories and draw strength from those around you during this difficult time.
What a wonderful love you have for your Grandmother. Just in the few words you posted today with the photos, it looks like you had a very loving relationship. Thoughts and prayers for you and the whole family. May you have a very memorable birthday!
So sorry for your loss from Nebraska
I am so sorry for your loss. You were so blessed and lucky to have her in your life!!
I am so sorry for your loss.
She always brought a smile to my face!
My 4 yr old and I still enjoy the “cinnamon” gum video.
Thoughts and prayers to your entire family.
Take care
I am very sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful woman and I am sure she is blessing you from up there.
What a AMAZING lady she was. Have a special birthday remembering that you have si much if her in you. Love from Massachusetts!!!
Prayers of strength and love. I am so sorry for this loss to your family. Thank you for introducing us to her, you could tell she was a special woman.
I’M Sorry for your loss! Isn’t it comforting to known that she is with the love of her life and that you will see her again! Prayers to you and your family. Happy Birthday and thank you for always posting such awesome deals! 🙂
So sorry for your loss. I will also miss her cheerful presence on your site. Sending you hugs.
So truly sorry for your loss. Heaven gained a true gem.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t say I hope you are able enjoy your birthday.
You do so much for us all on here. Thinking of you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. Praying you feel blanketed with God’s love over your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. She was so special to you. As I watched the videos of both of you I saw such a strong bond you both had together. Thinking of you and your family during this time.
I send many prayers to you today for your lose. I am reading this post while my husband just got out of surgery.
I’m so sorry Collin. I know that she really enjoyed being a part of Hip2Save. She had a blast with you! What a way to spend your last days that being a blessing to so many people. Thank You for sharing her with us. I kind of felt like she was our Grandmother too. She was hilarious and will be greatly missed.
Sending you love from Boston… She will always be with you.
So sorry to hear about Ma. From the videos she seemed like quite the character–just like my Pa. I know they are both up in heaven raising heck with everyone! My prayers go out to you and you family Collin.
so sorry about Ma, thank you for including her in your videos that we can continue to enjoy and watch, great spunky little lady!
Many hugs to you and your family, Collin. I’m so sorry to hear the news. She was a sweet lady; made me miss my own grandparents that I lost many, many years ago. Thoughts and prayers for you all. xoxo
Thank you for sharing your Grandma with all of us! The smiles together, brought smiles to the rest of us. Happiness spreads Happiness! I am so very sorry for you and the rest of your family for the loss of Ma.
It was amazing that we all got to share in the love that was so visible in your family (even from Florida, where I am!) Your Ma was an amazing person, just like you are. I’m saying a prayer tonight that you will find peace. I know this is so hard and I’m so very sorry.
I am very sorry for your loss.
My condolences to u and ur family. Such a touching tribute. Thanks for sharing ur Ma with us thru hip2save.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Grandma. I could tell from your posts how special she was to you. I pray for God to comfort you and your family. Happy birthday!
Im so sorry for loss..it was wonderful to watch you and her it was so funny..but this memmory you guys will always cherished..she in good place now.
Sorry for ur loss😭 ” as long as love is alive, the dead never dies..”
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Loves leaves a Memory no one can Steal” My condolences, thought’s and prayers to you and your family Collin.
I am so sorry for your loss. You are so fortunate to have had a woman like your Grandma in your life. I can only imagine how wonderful it is/was. Again, my deepest condolences.
So much sorry for your loss, Collin.
😥