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.
Collin, we are so sorry for your loss. I know your birthday must seem bittersweet. What an amazing Ma you had. You are a thoughtful, kind, fun-loving lady & I know Ma shaped you in many wonderful ways. Thank you for letting us see glimpses of your life. The services that you provide for us, day in and day out are so appreciated. Without a doubt, your Ma was extremely proud of you! May you find some comfort from all of us who are sending you hugs & well-wishes. May your grandmother rest in peace.
Love from New Mexico ❤️
Praying for you and your family
I am so sorry, but take comfort knowing she is still watching over you. And you will see her again one day.
I am so, SOOOO sorry for the loss you are feeling today. I’m sure you are taking comfort in knowing that Ma lead such a full life and was so lucky to having such a loving family (which she grew to be that way). I’m sure she’s stock piling hugs and giggles in heaven to bestow on you when you reach her again (in many, many, many years!).
My grandmas died when I was pregnant with my first child. She was born 7 minutes before midnight which would have been on one of my grandma’s bdays. With every death, there is birth. I hope you can feel double the love every birthday from here on out. As terrible as your loss is, it proves to be a super special date considering you were born and your Ma was sent back to heaven.
Hang in there, cry, eat, cry some more, laugh, and cry again, don’t forget to give extra hugs to those kiddos (I’m sure you don’t need a reminder for that.)
I would have never thought that Ma was 93 years old. As I recall, she spent much of the winter with you this past year. I remember when she went home, you were sad to see her go. We loved your photos with her on Hip 2 Save. Seems like she was always willing to don a costume or fun hat and you inherited that sense of the comic from her. She will always be in your heart. Godspeed.
Praying for your family! I’m so sorry for your loss!
Such a lovely woman. This is terrible news to hear. I’ll be praying for you and your family in the hope that you find the strength to get through this ordeal. Its never easy losing someone. I treasure as much time as I can daily with my parents. My grandparents are up there and I try to visit them as much as I can but with work, its difficult. I never forget to call though. I know your pain and it will pass as time passes. Your Granny will always be with you and one day the two of you will be reunited.
So sorry for your loss!
Dear Colin, so very sorry to hear about your Ma, I always loved watching your videos with her! She seemed to be a very sweet and precious person. You are so blessed to have her as long as you did!
So very sorry for your loss sending my deepest condolences to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed seeing the funny pictures of her. Hugs to you and your family.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I had no idea she was 93! She looked and acted so young!
So sorry for your loss. For being 93 she kept up with you and your antics very well.
I’m so sorry Collin. She seemed like a really fun person and so young for her age. You were lucky to have her so long. My Granny died when she was 74 and I was only 11… way too early. She raised me for the first 5 years of my life so she was like a mother to me…
Hope you had a very special birthday!
I am so sorry Collin. Ma will be greatly missed. Thank you for allowing us to get to “know” her through your videos. Prayers to you & your family.
What a wonderful tribute to Ma! She was such a joy to watch on your videos. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Truly sorry for your loss! Praying for comfort for you and your family.
Dear Collin,
Being a senior citizen fairly close to your mom’s age, a widower whose buried, siblings, parents, a wife, and children, I’ve learned that when we cry it’s for ourselves, not for our dearly, departed, as their at peace, no more bad health, no more going to doctors or hospitals, no more looking back at what they should have done during their lifetime, so don’t be sad, be glad for having loved them, and having been loved by them.
Sorry for the mistake, mom should be grandma.
An old saying comes to mind now, I don’t remember who said it though, Remember me in good times, with laughter and fun, for if you remember me in sad times, and tears don’t remember me at all.
So sorry about your Granny. Glad she can rest in peace and with her love. ♡
Collin, So sorry to hear about your grandmother. I always look forward seeing her shop with you. Just know now you have a bigger Angel watching over you. I did not know her personally but I adopted her as my grandmother. She made me laugh a lot. Thanks for sharing your grandmother with us. Be Blessed
Happy Birthday! So sorry for your loss! May God be with u and your family during this time!
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your Grandmother (Ma). By the pictures she seemed
like a very sweet lady.
I’m so sorry for your lost.
Oh, Collin, my heart hurts for you. Your Ma was a beautiful woman. Your pictures speak a million words about the love between you two. We will miss her, also. Thanks for sharing her with us here at hip2save. Hugs to you – especially today on your birthday. Prayers being said for you and your family and your sweet Ma.
I’m so sorry for your loss
Your photos with her are so beautiful and full of life, something to cherish, just like your memories of her!
I am very sorry for your family’s loss.
Sending my sympathy, until you see her again!
Your ma was vibrant at her age…that is a lucky thing. I hope I’m as fortunate one day. I wanted to express my condolences to you and your family at this time.
Happy Birthday! And I am so sorry for your loss. It was so obvious that you had a very special relationship with your grandmother 🙂
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your grandmother (Ma). She will always be with you still, watching over you, as your special guardian angel. Be open minded and you will see that she will send you special signs, to let you know that she is there with you. I never really understood what people would mean about receiving signs, but then I lost my mom (my best friend in this world ) 2 years ago, and she has sent me many signs that could only come from her. Also, you have made such a beautiful tribute wall to your grandma on this post, and I am sure she is smiling down on your, honored to have you as her granddaughter. God Bless.
my heart goes out to you and your family. thank you for sharing her with us. It was fun to get to know her through your pictures and videos
I too am so sorry for your loss! I just loved Ma in all of those videos. Prayers for your family from Thomasville, NC.
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
So sorry for your loss Colin. I was looking forward to the next time she visited you and to see her again at Target! Blessings to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers from Washington State will be said for you & your family.
Thinking of you during this time of grief. 😓
So sorry for your loss, it’s great you two have so many wonderful memories
So sorry to hear about your grandmother. I loved seeing her shopping with you.
So sorry for your loss. I loved seeing her on the blog.
So sorry for your loss. She seemed like such a sweet and special person. Looks like her smile could light up a room. I’m sure she’s looking down from heaven wanting only happiness and sunshine for you and your family. May God bless your family and give you strength in this time of suffering.
Sorry for your loss Collin, your Ma was a beautiful person. May your heart hold all the wonderful memories.
Oh Colin my deepest condoleances. I feel like I lost a relative . So sad. May Ma rest in peace, we will miss her!
We ❤️ Ma!
So sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Loved seeing Ma with you! She will be missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss 🙁 but I believe that you are right saying that she will be watching over you and your family <3 I was laughing out loud while watching videos with her! She was an amazing person, I think you are too ;* love what you are doing! You helped me too!!! ;*
Collin, I am so very sorry for the loss of your amazing grandmother. It is so obvious that she meant/means so much to you. You two had a beautiful relationship! You are right, she is with your grandfather now and so very happy! I’ll be thinking about you and praying for you during this very difficult time.
We are so terribley sorry for your families loss. Our hearts are with you…