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.
I forgot to say..I hope you still have a happy birthday and think about all the fun you had with her. And maybe you can find a smile knowing she would not want you to be sad.
What a wonderful lady! It sounds like she’s left a beautiful mark on the word. Peace and love to you and your family.
I’m sorry to hear this, Colin. Prayers for all. Your beautiful “Ma” will always be in your heart forever. Thank you for sharing her with all of us.
My deepest sympathies, Melinda Hengel
Sorry for your loss…she’s touched many of us through your videos and posts. We’ll all miss her Collin!
What a beautiful tribute to your grand-MA! God Bless your family!
So sorry for your lost. May Ma rest in peace. So many beautiful memories and videos of her happy soul are here in hip2save.
My prayers go out to you and family. Ma will surely be missed!
So sorry for your loss Collin. I enjoyed watching your videos. I never knew any of my grandparents they passed away before I was born. You are very lucky to have those memories with her and thank you for sharing her with us. She was a pure joy to watch.
Happy Birthday Collin ! Sorry for your loss.. Prayers for you and your family. She seemed to be amazing!
So sorry for you loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I loved seeing her in your pics and videos.
Colin my condolences to you and your family xoxo
Colin,
So sorry about your ma. I teared up reading the post, I know how much she meant to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Happy Birthday
How special she was!! And loved how you included her in your life and made us smile!!! We just lost our 18 year old SPECIAL kitty and feel your loss as we do our little Tori…😿
Praying for your family. So sorry for your loss. Gods peace and comfort be with you all.
I’m so happy for you that you got to know and be so close to such a wonderful woman. Condolences and blessings to you and your family.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones during this difficult time,
” God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river, turbid and deep.”
– Mary P
Your grandmother made my day every time you posted one of your cute pics with her! Its pretty clear where you got your beautiful sense of humor ♡
I’m sorry to hear such a light is gone from your world! She was so funny!
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I hope today as you celebrate your birthday you are equally celebrating hers xo
I am so sorry to hear about Ma’s passing. I always looked forward to seeing her in your videos. Your relationship with her reminded me of mine with my late grandmother. Prayers to you and your family in this difficult time.
Uplifting your entire family in prayer- although a trying time please hold close the happy memories you’ve shared.
I’m so sorry for your loss. 🙁 My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Grandmas are a special force! Sending hugs your way.
God gained a new angel, your Ma! She may be gone but her spirit lives on through the people she loves and those who loves her. My condolences to your family. God Bless.
So sorry to hear about Ma’s passing. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
So sorry for your loss. You family is in my prayers and thoughts.
I’m sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and yours.
She seemed to have just as big a heart as she did a personality. I know you are missing her like crazy. Glad I got to know her in some small way through your videos. 🙂
So sorry to hear about your Ma. It was a joy to see her in your videos and photos. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Sorry for your loss
My heart dropped when I read this! Condolences to you and your family from Mississippi….
Ma will always be remembered, we love Ma. Collin, I believe she is not only your inspiration, but a lot of us, H2S friends too. We are blessed we have met Ma here. God bless you and your family.
Such a sweet lady from your posts. So sorry for your loss
I am so sorry for your loss. She looks like an amazing woman who had a life full of love and laughter.
Deepest sympathy to you and your family on the lost of your grandma. 🙁
So sorry to hear about your loss. She looked like a fun and vibrant lady and I am sure will be sorely missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Ma was truly a joy to see in your videos. I will be praying for peace and comfort for your family.
What glorious memories! God bless you and your family and everyone touched by Ma. Enjoy your celebrations and thank you so much for sharing!
My condolences to you and your family. Your Ma brightened the days of the Hip2Save community on so many occasions. 💘 Thank you.
So sorry. Thank you for sharing your story.
So sorry to hear of this. She was truly a pleasure to watch shopping with you. She will be missed.
So sorry for your loss! I loved when you included her in your hip2save videos – what a neat lady she was! You are lucky to have those unique memories with her working by your side.
So sorry for your loss! How blessed you are for having her in your life!! My prayers are with you and your family.
My condolences to you and your family, Collin. May your grandmother rest in peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. 🙁
Collin.. i am so very sorry for your loss.. I Pray for you and your family..
Sorry for your loss.
Collin–I’m so very sorry to hear this. All us ‘hippers’ felt as though we knew her personally, thanks to your sharing your wonderful relationship with us here. May she rest in eternal peace, at home with the Lord. Thank you for sharing her lovely spirit with us, and may God bless you & your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your loved ones.