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.
Sorry for your loss, Collin. Cherish all the memories and she will never be forgotten.
I am so sorry for your loss Colin. Your Ma was a truly special woman and I know how much she will be missed. Sending hugs and prayers to you all.
Colin, I have been a long time reader of your blog and I was so saddened to read the post of Ma’s passing. Just know that she touched so many lives in a positive way through your posts with her. She will be greatly missed by many people. She was truly a ray of sunshine! My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and the H2S family. Birthday wishes, too.
So sorry for your loss. We will all miss ma!
I’m so sorry. She lives on in you, obviously.
So sorry for your loss. Everyone can see what a blessing she was to you and your entire family!! She was so cute and I sure will miss seeing her on Hip to Save. Sending prayers for your whole family Colin!!!
I am so very sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss! Ma will be greatly missed! I absolutely loved watching the videos where she is with you! Prayers!
So very sorry for your loss Collin….. She always made me smile when I saw her smiling face!!! We all have an angel smiling down on us today! Much love
I am so sorry for your loss Colin. 😪
And, I forgot to say Happy Birthday to you Collin! (virtual cupcake inserted here)
🙂
Sorry for your lost. Thanks for sharing her with us through your post. Hope you have a blessed and Happy Birthday!
Sorry for your loss. Sounds like she was pretty awesome. And happy birthday.
God bless you and your family at this time. You may really not know the wonderful impact that you and your family have had on people through your work and posts. There are so many people that are crying with you. Love and hugs. M
Collin, I am deeply sorry for the loss of you “Ma”. I know that you don’t know each of us “readers” personally, but wow!, do we sure feel like we know you, (and your family)!!! So this sad news breaks our hearts too. You will be in my thoughts! Xoxo
This shocked me! I didn’t even know she was sick or 93 years young. I will forever be reminded of this special person I never even actually knew EVERY time I see one of those motorized carts at Target. I will think of her and here memories will live on and on……………
My deepest sympathies ! She always looked like she was having the best time hanging out with you. She will be missed by all of us that enjoyed her smiling face.
So sorry for your loss 🙁 Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
While reading this I cried, smiled and felt your pain at loosing Ma, but I also felt the happiness that you felt when she was with you. I am so sorry for your loss, my condolences go out to you and your family. She will always be in our hearts!
When I saw the title of this post, I just knew it was about dear, sweet Ma. I have come to love her through the videos you two made together- goofing around, showcasing buys, interacting with other real people. Ma was authentic- an inspiration to those of us who have yet to reach her age and wisdom. Thanks for sharing so much of her, Collin. May we all be that spunky.
Collin, thank you for sharing Ma’s story! Prayers to you and your family! Peacenluv!
My sincerest condolences to your and your family. I know she is in a wonderful and better place and will always be with you.
I know the feeling of loosing a beloved grandmother while not being around both of mine passed away while I was in my finals for my nursing exam in Cologne and than when I already moved to the states..
It may sound strange or crazy but I dream very often about both of them and I always remember those dreams very detailed.
Hugs too you and a great Birthday!
I am sorry for your loss, she is now your guardian angel and will watch over you.
Collin, Sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family. Thanks for sharing “Ma” with us.
Happy Birthday
I’m so sorry for your loss, I know your grandma was special to you, as was evident in the past year with so many of your pictures containing your grandma. Those same pictures show how special you were to her. It’s so rare to see someone in your age group share their life to the extent you did with their grandma. Such a loving family. My prayers are with you.
So sorry … She seemed so sweet on all the posts! Take comfort in john 5:28, 29…
I’m sorry for your loss – such a wonderful lady!
Oh Collin, my deepest heart-felt condolences to you and your family! May the peace of God fill you with hope and comfort now, and in the many days ahead. (((HUGS)))! :'(
I’m sorry for your loss, Collin.
I am sorry for your loss, you truly are blessed for having had her in your life.
Sending deep condolences to you and your family. I loved Ma’s style and greatly apparently love for you and your family. She had grace and spunk galore!
What a special lady she was. Her spirit will always live on in you.
Collin, My heart breaks for your loss. Sending warm thoughts to you during this sad time!
I am so terribly sorry! Ma is a huge loss to the H2S community. I always thought she was the neatest lady. Bless you and your family in your time of mourning.
Collin, so going to miss seeing Ma and hearing her stories. Thanks for sharing her with us. Praying for you and your family during this tough time.
It’s awesome you got to spend so much time and make so many beautiful memories with your grandma. I hope all the love and comfort in the world is brought to you when you reflect of those memories.
Amazing. Thank you for sharing her and this story. I pray these beautiful memories fill your heart as you grieve and lift you up a little each day. A celebration of life is what she would have wanted. Happy birthday too!!
So sorry, Colin. It was always such a joy to see Ma on this site. It was so obvious how much you loved each other.
So sorry for your loss….loved the pics of your Ma!!! As you said, take comfort in knowing she is with your Grandfather….
So very sorry for your loss but happy she is with her husband again. Ans stills continue to look after your family too.
So sorry for your loss but we all should celebrate the wonderful life Ma has lived.
I am so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you and your family.
It’s such a hard thing to lose a loved one,especially one as special as Ma was to you. I lost my aunt 6 months ago,but it seems like yesterday and I miss her everyday. They’re always with us though in spirit though! Keep strong, Collin<3
Hi Collin, I’m sorry to hear about Ma… getting a bit choked up myself! She was so full of life and fun, such a great lady! The pictures you put up are great, I especially like the one where she is dressed as an Elf 🙂 My condolences to your family, you will never forget her! Our prayers are with you and your family today for Ma and as you celebrate your birthday. Thanks for sharing with us.
So sorry. I’m sure she’s smiling down on you and your family.
Thank u for sharing such a beautiful tribute about your MA”! My prayers for u and your family during this time as well as wishing u a happy birthday.
Sorry for your loss, Collin. Ma was an amazing women! She will be missed <3
My sympathies for you and your family on this great loss. Your tribute to her is more than perfect and I’m sure that she and your grandfather are smiling down on you with love. I love Ma! You will ways be missed Ma.
Oh no! Ma was such a great part of Hip2Save! We will all miss her!
Sorry for your loss and to be honest, my eyes are full of tears, she was a wonderful lady and will be greatly missed. Wishing you a great birthday and may Ma rest in peace too.
Your grandma was so fun to watch… what an amazing woman and example she must have been. I hope you and your family will find comfort in Christ during this difficult time!