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 to you and your family! Hold on to all those amazing memories!!
Collin: I was so impressed that you seemed so close to your grandmother and that she really seemed to enjoy being a part of your blog. I am sorry for your loss but I understand when you say that she and your grandfather are together again. I bet they were quite the team.
I am so sorry. A great loss, indeed. To impact so many lives, she is a treasure for sure. Blessings to you and your family as you grieve. May you rejoice is her life! ♡
so sorry to hear about your “ma”. i lost my grandmother when she was 90. the hardest thing was there were no more new memories to be made. with that i realized the bigger picture, it wasn’t about my sadness but about her being with her lost loved ones. that she had left a legacy for me and my family, and that i needed to make sure her life meant something. when i would see the pics with you and your grandma it brought a smile to my face because i could see that she meant so much to you. those pics probably made some of you fans reach out to the older generation. its not about what you can get from a relationship its about what can you learn and it looks like you learned valuable lessons from her. know that you are a beautiful person and your “ma” helped you to get there, and you are helping all of us to be beautiful too.
peace,
kelly
My prayers are with you and your family! I could tell she was a special person!
I am so sorry for your loss! It brightened my day to see Ma in posts so I can only imagine what a light she was in person. Thank you for sharing this with us! I will be praying for you and your family!
Prayers to you and your family at this difficult time…,
My prayers are with you and your family Colin as you all go through this delicate moment in your lives. She will live on in all of you. Thank you, so very much, for sharing your grandmother with us. She is so special!
(((Hugs))) what a beautifully written tribute to a lovely woman…
We all loved her, too. She made all of your videos extra delightful. I am sorry for your loss, but glad that you shared her with us before she left. A true delight.
I empathize with you Colin. My husband just passed away on April 20 so I know how hard to lose someone you love.
Prayers for you and your family: while you are sad here, heaven got an angel and a couple was reunited with endless love & joy, knowing they will always be together. What a blessed wonder to have her love, humor and joy in your life!
Life us not measured by the number of breaths we take . life is measured by the moments that take our breath away. Live and Love that’s what Ma did.
What a beautiful tribute; God bless.
One of my favorite quotes is “Don’t cry because it’s over, SMILE because it happened.” Ma will always be remembered.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss.
So sad…Your grandma was a very special person and she will definitely be missed. Thank you for sharing her with all of us. She put a smile on a lot of faces. Looking at her I felt like she knew exactly how Hip it was to live… Memory Eternal to her and may God comfort all of your family!
Happy Birthday to you Collin!
My prayers go out to your entire family during such a delicate time in your lives. Ma lives on in all of you! Thank you so much for sharing her with us! She sure was a delight to hang around with even though it was through video. Love you!
Im so sorry. May she rest peacefully
I am so sorry for your loss! I loved both my grandmothers within a year of each other and it still hurts 10 years later. My thoughts are with you!
Thanks for sharing Ma with us. Blessings to you and your family. Happy Birthday!!
Colin I am so sorry for your loss. I always looked forward to your posts when Ma was in them. She always brought a huge smile to my face. She is an awesome role model, and I consider myself blessed that you shared her with your followers. She was like our own Grandma. Blessings, love, thoughts and prayers from our family to yours.
Sorry for your loss. Will miss Ma on hip2save.
I loved the pictures of the two of you! Never a post that showed nothing but happiness and love. Thanks for sharing your family with ours! Love to you!
I’m so sorry for your loss. You and she seemed like a great team! It is so special to have someone like that in your life. You were definitely blessed. She and your grandfather will be watching over you all. And Happy Birthday Collin. She seemed like the type to tell you not to grieve, but to be thankful for all of the time you had together.
Sorry for your loss and she had a good LONG life in 90s! Hugs
Im so sorry for your loss and Happy birthday to you Collin
So sorry for your loss. I loved watching the two of you together on your videos.
I’m so sorry for your loss Collin. Your grandma was wonderful and will surely be missed by many. You and your family are in my prayers.
Such sad news. I am heartbroken for you. Thank you for sharing her in your video’s she looked like the kind of Ma everyone would want in their life. She seemed very proud of you and I could tell u both loved each other dearly. Find comfort in knowing that she is in a happy place (so they say) and she is back with family she loved and missed. She is still around you in spirit and will live with you for as long as you have her in your heart. Sending you hugs and strength through this hard time.
I have tears streaming down my face as I read this. Although I never personally met her, I feel like she was a part of my own family. I will miss seeing her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
So sorry for your loss Collin. Prayers for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your special moments with Ma with us. She will be missed.
🙁 I am so sorry for your loss. “Ma” had a lot of love from us here in your community. We will remember the laughter, the love and that wonderful smile. Sending my heartfelt prayers to you and your family.
She was a great person on hip2save love your video she made us laugh&laugh. PLEASE PLEASE take time off with us there’s ALWAYS deal . You need to be with your family. God Bless 😇
sorry for ur loss…may she rest in peace
Beautiful words. So sorry for your loss. Grandmothers are such an amazing gift and it sounds like yours was a true gem.
I am sorry for your loss! Prayers for you and your family.
So very sorry for your loss, we all loved MA and I am crying with you right now. In honor of ma, I will make someone smile by doing a random act of kindess. Thank you MA for the smiles you gave me and many others.
Thank you for sharing Ma with us! Condolences to you and your family. Prayers for you at this time. Do a parking lot happy dance for her today!!! Happy Birthday Collin!
May peace surround you.
I am so sorry for your loss Collin, I knew something was up as soon as I saw the heading. My grandmother lives 800 miles away and I don’t get to see her as often as I want, for her to be able to share so much with you is a blessing. Be strong. God Bless!
So sorry to hear about your grandma….she was always such a fun addition when you featured her on your site! Take care!
So sorry for your loss–but this was such a beautiful tribute. Ma will be missed by the Hip2Save community!
So sorry for your loss Collin.
I’m so sorry for you Colin, I was close to my grandmother and lost her just last year. Thank you for sharing “Ma” with us! I will miss her pictures!
This made me cry. Sorry for your loss Collin. It is our lost too as i love to see her pictures couponing with you and having fun. She will surely be missed.
Im so sorry, you are in my thoughts and prayers
Collin I am so sorry for your loss, I loved the way ma was so cheerful.
My family to yours…sorry for the loss..we still love you.
I am so sorry for your loss colin….