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.
So very sorry for the loss of your grandma. She was clearly a very special person!
Collin – so very sorry to hear about Ma. I so enjoyed seeing her in your videos. My condolences to you and your family.
Oh Collin, I’m so sorry for your loss. We all loved Ma and welcomed her into our own homes, as if she was one of our family members. The heavens gained a special person. You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts today. Please enjoy your birthday as much as you can. Ma would have wanted that. We are all honored to have been blessed with meeting a true angel.
Thank you for sharing your grandmother with us. I always love seeing the pics of you and her. She seemed like a very fun lady to be around. Lifting you and your family up in prayer as you remember your sweet “Ma”.
Blessings to you and your family. Thank you for sharing such a special person with us.
Collin what a wonderful tribute to your grandma. You are so loving it shows in everything you do. I know she is smiling down on you and your family because you are a true reflection of grace. God bless you and your family in this time.
Thanks for sharing Ma with us Collin I will never forget her driving that shopping cart 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss. I really like seeing ‘Ma’ on your shopping videos I will really miss her. ;(
So sorry for your lose, my prayers are with you and ur family
This is so sad! I’m so sorry. She was such a good sport through all the pics and videos. She will be missed for sure.
I am so sorry for your loss 😢. Praying from Ohio 😇
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I too am in tears as I write these words…I am so sorry for your loss..I didn’t “know” Ma…but I knew Ma..she was Ma to us all…I could really tell she loved you..She will be missed..Have a Happy Birthday Collin…xo
Collin, so very sorry for your loss of your special grandmother!!! I have enjoyed your videos and stories with her in them!!! May God bless your family and give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss !!
Happy Birthday Collin😋 Today is also my daughters birthday who turned 3! My heart goes out to you and your family for your loss! My prayers & thoughts will be with you all! I most say you are very generous to have shared ma with all of us! Ms rocked and I wish my grandma would have been that cool😊
I am so sorry Collin. I always enjoyed watching how much fun you and Ma had together. I will be praying for you and your family. Happy Birthday.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
There are no words…..a grandmother…..I still miss my dear Gram, 23 years gone but forever in my heart. God bless you & your family
A beautiful lady and a beautifully written tribute. So sorry for your loss.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Happy Birthday.
Us Hipsters Loved Ma So sad hear the news. I am so sorry for your loss, Collin. Happy Birthday and My condolences to you and your family.
So sorry for your loss ..hope u just recover remembering all the best times u had with her. ..
You are in our prayers and thoughts. Ma was always a special part of Hip2Save, and will always have a special place in our hearts. <3
What a precious woman. Blessings to your family during this difficult time. xoxo
I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing these wonderful memories with us. <3
I am so sorry for your loss.
I’m soo sorry to hear of your loss! I loved seeing your ‘ma’ as part of your life, as from the pictures of you two there was so much joy and happiness!! Many blessings as you celebrate her life, and mourn her not being near to you! 😘
Sorry for your loss. Hugs
Love and prayers from Pennsylvania! ❤️
so very sorry for your loss 🙁 sending you hugs
I am so so sorry for your loss. She was wonderful as are you. I feel like I know you all! Prayers for you and your family during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved seeing Ma on your videos and on Hip2Save, everyone could see how special she was.
Happy Birthday Collin!! sorry for your loss. Thank you for everything you do for us. Hope you can enjoy your day cause Ma would want you to also. ((((hugs))))
Collin…I am so sorry. When I saw the headline and Ma’s picture…I was like, oh no…I always thought it was so cool that you were so close to your grandma and that she was game to help you….even more impressive now that I know she was 93 years old. I wish there were something I could say or do… I feel like your family is a part of mine. I offer my deepest and sincerest condolences to you and your family at this time. It’s so obvious that your grandma was an incredible woman and her legacy lives on through you. You’ve both touched so many lives in so many ways.
Happy birthday to you! Mine is tomorrow so we are both August babies. Hope you find peace and also manage to enjoy your birthday!
<3 Ma <3 <3 Collin <3
It’s nice to see the joy in your eyes when you are with her. God bless you and your family
Collin, I am so sorry to hear about Ma’s passing. How lucky you are to have that special relationship with your grandmother and how lucky she is to have a granddaughter like you. She will always be watching over your family and smiling along with you 🙂 My prayers and love are with your family!
Im so sorry for your families loss.
Tears streaming here too….so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful ray of light and the world was better for having her in it. Blessings to you and yours as you grieve and try to focus on all the wonderful memories.
Sorry for your loss.
I will miss the fun posts with you and ma. She was such an inspiration as are you. I know she will live on in the hearts and thoughts of many. Thank you for sharing her with us!
My heart just sank – I send you hugs – I looked so much forward to see you and ma – I loved the candy eating the excitement – the shopping cart driving – she brought joy to me- thanks Collin for sharing her with us –
So sorry for your loss. She had a beautiful smile.
My condolence to you and your family. When I read your post title, I thought, yes, ma is such a beautiful person, and had no I idea. Reading those words that followed was shocking and sad, she seemed so full of life when she visited earlier this year. i loved her spunky sense of humor, and you’re right anyone who can brighten a TSA agent’s day is special and definitely a gem to humanity and mankind. I treasure your words describing how special her influence in your life has been: “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.” Especially about letting your authentic self shine. That quality is what makes ma, yourself and your blog the best of the best. We will love ma always. And, as she was loved by many, her love will be forever.
Well said, Laura.
Oh, no! I am so sorry! What a beautiful lady…I have loved seeing her on Hip2Save through the last few years. I could see what a great relationship the two of you had…she was a “Ma” to all of us here as well! She will truly be missed!
I’m heartbroken.. So sorry for your loss. Please enjoy your birthday! I just know Ma would have wanted that most. I can see her putting on lip gloss right now! What a beautiful soul…and so was Ma.
What beautiful pictures and wonderful memories you have. So sorry for your loss. She was such a cute little lady.
What a beautiful and special post! I am so sorry for loss!
Thinking of you and your family. I lost my 96 year old grandmother on August 19, 2014. I know your pain. ❤️