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.
Very sorry for your loss…what a great well deserved tribute
Wow! I am sorry for your loss…I cried the whole way through your sweet post. You could really tell how much love was between the two of you in your videos and pictures.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing her with us – she will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sorry for ur loss Collin
Collin, I am very sorry for your loss. Every time I saw a post with Ma in it, I smiled b/c even through the computer, she was full of life. When I saw this post, my heart sank and I didn’t want to read further. You wrote wonderfully about your times with her. Hope those memories help make your birthday a little happier.
I’m so sorry for your loss! I loved seeing pictures of Ma. Her joy spilled right out of her eyes. Many hugs to you and yours.
Praying for you, Collin! So sorry for your loss!
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Ma seemed like such a fun fun lady who seemed very proud to be your Ma.
So so sorry for your loss! I lost both of my grandmothers last year, three months apart. Grandmothers are so special and you were so blessed to have so many wonderful years with her. Praying for you and your family during this time.
Sorry for your loss, sending prayers to you and your family.
I sitting here touched by your story and can’t find the comforting words to say to you and your family. From the bottom of your “HIP” family, I am so sorry for your loss. 💜 🙏
Happy Birthday! You’re are such a beautiful person…thank you for helping all of us help our families. 💙. You’re an absolute treasure! I don’t know what we would have done without you for all these years. 🌺🌺🌺
I am so sorry for your loss!
I’m so sorry for your loss Collin. May Ma rest in peace. My sincerest and deepest condolences to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss Collin. You guys had such a sweet relationship. Praying for your family
From Kansas – what a wonderful woman! Both you and your Ma! May the love the two of you shared ease the sorrow you feel and help to comfort you now and forever . God’s blessings to both of you
Colin, I am so sorry! What a wonderful perspective you have. Thank you for sharing Ma with us. May the Lord’s peace continue to lift you in the coming days. With much love.
So sorry to hear about Ma passing. She will be dearly missed. Thank you for sharing her with all of your readers.
❤️
I’m so sorry Collin. Praters are with you and your family in this time of loss. You can see in the pictures, the way you looked at Ma, that you cherished her dearly. I’m sure that alone made her life worth while, as there is no greater gift than to be loved by the ones you love. It is a blessing to know that even your children will have known her and seen the bond you had. Bless you at this sad time.
((Hugs))
deeply sorry to hear of the loss your in family. losing someone so close and special is hard, but if she taught you well, which i can tell she did, you will make it through by remembering and carrying on all the things she taught you. that is how i dealt with the loss of grandparents. happy birthday to you as well.
So sorry to hear about your Ma, Collin. I came on today to wish you a happy birthday and read this terrible news. My thoughts are with you and your family. (the Christmas photo brought a smile to my face) Thanks for sharing with us.
So sorry for your loss. It was so wonderful to see you two together in the videos. Thinking of your you and your family.
So sorry for your loss! I loved seeing her in the videos and pictures you posted on hip2save. She will be missed by many. Prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family!
I am so sorry for your loss, thank you for sharing your Grandma with all of us!
Sorry about your loss Collin. Your grandmother left you with some great advice..she was such a delight each time you guys did a video together.
Happy Birthday!!
Sending you love and Hugs all the way to you.. Happy Birthday Collin!! Thoughts and prayers for your family!!
I am praying for you and your family! She was fun to watch in your videos! A special lady! Hugs from Mississippi.
Oh Collin, I am so sorry. Ma was very special and so are you, you both bring sunshine to so many of us. Thank you for sharing Ma with us.. Prayers for Ma and you and your family.
Collins- what a beautiful tribute to Ma. My thoughts are with your family. Thank you for sharing her with us. She made us all smile too.
Collin,
So sorry for your loss. I was shocked to read and now have tears flowing down MY cheeks. Ma lived a long, beautiful life and I am glad you have so many wonderful memories to cherish. May we all be blessed to have someone so special and terrific in our lives. xoxo
Collin we are so sorry for your loss. What a legacy ma left. So many special times and memories you have of her. May God be with you and your family
Many of us “older” savers haven’t had a “Ma” in many years. I want to thank you Colin for sharing your Ma with me through your site, it’s meant the world to me to have a little bit of my Ma back through your site. I laughed with both of you and bless you for the joy you gave me.
Rest in paradise. Prayers to you and all of your family. 🙏
My condolences Colin
So sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers to you and yours. Happy Bday!
Collin, I am truly sorry for the loss of Ma. She brought so many smiles and now so many tears. I am so sad and shocked when I opened your site. We loss a part of our Hip2save family and she sure will be missed. My prayers are with you at your time of sorrow. Please try to have a nice birthday.
What a wonderful testimony to LOVE and joy on Earth. Thank you for sharing. Such a blessing to have lived such a joyful life with her and share her memory in such an influential way to so many in your community of influence. Peace to you and your family.
Happy Birthday and sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for you loss. She will certainly be missed. Watching your videos before you started including Ma I used to wonder where does she get so much personality and energy. Then Ma came into the picture and it was so obvious. Her memory will live on in all the hearts and souls she touched and through the obvious part of her that inhabits who you are. Bless you and your family.
So sorry
Collin sorry for your loss! Ma made me smile every time you posted her!!!Thank you for sharing her with us!!!
Happy Birthday, Collin! I’m so sorry to hear about Ma. I loved seeing her on your blog, and I’m sure she was so proud of you. Take time for yourself today, go get some ice cream smothered in chocolate and other bad things for you. You deserve it. Thanks for everything you do. I’ve been a daily follower for years.
So sorry enjoyed her on your site.
I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in our prayers! Hope you have nice birthday in spite of this terrible loss. Sending many hugs!
So beautiful!
So sorry for your loss Collin. Ma was a very special person. I loved your videos with her. Hugs to you!
Happy Birthday to you! And may you celebrate your Ma, today and every day! God Bless
Collin I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in all the memories you have with her. She truly was a “hoot” and the entire Hip2Save family is going to miss her also.