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.
Condolences from Florida, so sorry for your loss. Thank you for a beautiful tribute and story.
I have tears streaming down my face reading this. Although I never met her, I feel like she’s apart of my family too. I will miss seeing her!
So sorry for your loss, Collin. Your ma’s inclusion in some of your videos was EVERYTHING. She made me smile every time. My prayers for peace to be with you and yours.
Happy birthday, by the way.
Colin, thank you for sharing her with us! She brightened many of my days! She will be missed!
So sorry for your loss. Sounds like she was an amazing woman who lived life to the fullest.
Blessings to you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Collin- I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. She is in a much better place right now in heaven. Thank you for opening up your family to your H2S community. I feel as if I knew Ma because she reminded me of my grandmother. Please take care of yourself and I hope you can take a few days off from H2S work. I would understand you taking time for yourself and family without worrying about H2S postings. I am sending you blessings and prayers so that you grow stronger each and every day. Happy Birthday and enjoy your celebration of life day! 💗
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of Beautiful Ma. My family will pray for you and your family at this time.
Collin, thank you for sharing Ma with all of us. I feel like I knew her so well for the past 8 years being so connected to Hip2Save. She really was a ray of sunshine and her photos and videos always made me smile. My heart is heavy for you and celebrating life is exactly what Ma would want you to do today on your birthday. Sending love and prayers from Indiana.
She was a beautiful lady! So sorry!
I am so sorry for your loss. Your grandmother looked like she really enjoyed her life. What a great relationship between grandmother and granddaughter. The pictures you selected really show your mutual love and devotion between you and your grandmother. How lucky you are to have these cherished memories.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday with your family.
I loved watching videos with Ma. She had a great spirit. My thoughts are with you.
Awe Happy Birthday….. And so sorry for your family’s loss, I so enjoyed all the videos you have shared that included your grandma she truly was an incredible women and will be missed…. Hugs from Ohio
It’s amazing how resilient and strong you are. To continue on doing what you do and provide us with the opportunity to save everyday, especially these last couple of days, is very nice of you. Prayers for all your family. Thank you Colin and Happy Birthday. May Ma rest in peace.
Collin – I could see through the little glimpses of you and Ma how special your relationship was! One of the hardest losses I experienced was losing my grandma about 15 years ago. You are in my prayers as you and your family are grieving. I have no doubt she is smiling down on you. Hugs…
Beautiful words and beautiful photos of you together. Happy birthday.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman. Her love will always live in your heart.
I am truly sorry for your loss and now our loss. She was a beautiful person and we can see she brought you and everyone around her much joy.
Be at piece knowing she is with loved ones again.
So sorry Colin!! Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers!! Sending hugs..
I’m so sorry to read this. I am filled with sadness. I LOVED when your grandma was in the posts. What a beautiful lady…what a beautiful life. Peace, thoughts, and prayers to you and your loved ones, Collin. Bless her heart…and yours.
🙁 I’m so sorry for your loss. She seemed like such a fun-loving lady. I’m sure she left you with many wonderful memories.
Collin so sorry for your loss!!! we will surely miss her a lot she was such a bright ray of sun in your video and I truly would like to give my condolences to you and your family for a great loss
I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you were able to enjoy having her in your life and learned many life lessons through her example. I’m sure that made her very proud and will continue to do so. You bring laughter and joy to those who follow ur blog as well as making our dollars stretch further. God bless u and ur family during this difficult time
I’m so sorry for your loss……
So sorry for your loss. I ll miss seeing posts and videos of her. Grandmas are special ppl
Oh I am so sad to hear this. I have been following your site for years and she will be terribly missed by all of us. My favorite things to watch where the videos with her in them. I’m shedding a few tears over here for you Collin. My sincere condolences for your great loss.
Sorry for your loss…she seemed like such an amazing person who loved life and her family…
I’m so sorry. I’m really going to miss Ma and your shopping trips together. She truly was a special lady that’s for sure. My heart is broken for you but you are so lucky to have had Ma. You two had such a lovely fun bond and thank you for sharing it with us. She’s now laughing and dancing among the angels. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Collin,Hugs&Love!!! From Toledo,Ohio
you were such a great granddaughter! I hope those memories will help you during this time
Prayers and thoughts to your sweet family Colin
I loved when she would be in your videos! I cant wait to meet Ma one day in heaven! I’m sorry for your loss!
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your grandma was such a special person. She always made me laugh through your videos. The connection between you two was heart warming. I lost my grandmother 7 years ago and very often it still feels like it was yesterday.
So nice of u to share her with us as well. She brought a smile to my face more than once on your videos.
I am so sorry to read this.. I enjoyed your videos with your grandmother so much. Praying for you right now. Take care.
Very sorry for your loss Colin. May her soul rest in peace. Pls remember she is always there with you in spirit. Stay strong and have a good year ahead.
So sorry for your loss collin!
We are going to miss her …
I’m so sorry for your loss, praying peace and comfort for you and your family.
Happy Birthday to you too!
So sorry to hear this. Lots of hugs and prayers coming your way.
Thank yo so much for sharing the pictures of ‘Ma” with us. We all enjoyed your adventures and she put a smile on so many faces. It was easy to see that she was a very special lady and was loved by all— even those she never met. Prayers go out to you and your family.
So sorry for your family’s loss. She was a ray of sunshine. I could tell just from your videos. So sad for you.
So sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss
So very sorry for your loss. She seemed like a wonderful & sweet lady from all your videos…reminds me of my grandma that passed away in February. I’m sure they are friends in Heaven 🙂 Praying for your family.
I cried reading this in its entirety,as if I knew her!I lost my Mom 14 months ago,so my heartfelt condolences go out to you & your family.I have found that other people’s words ease the pain somewhat. What a blessing she was,& looked amazing for her age!
I a so very sorry, many ((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))
Thinking of you at the difficult time. 😢
So sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear about ‘Ma’. She was one of the most endearing persons I have ever had the pleasure to ‘meet’. She will be missed by all the Hip2Save ‘family’. Thank you for sharing this funny, warm and wonderful person with all of us!
I’m so sorry for your loss, and also happy for you for having such an amazing Ma in your life. And Happy birthday!