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 am truly sorry for your loss. She was the sweetest and will truly be missed. I always enjoyed seeing her in your videos and they will not be the same without her.
So sorry to hear about ur loss. Nobody can fill that void but her happy memories can always bring a smile on ur face. She was a blessing for this site too. People know her all over the states. She will be missed by each n every hip2savER. May her soul rest in peace and may she keep on shining bright like her persona!!
So, sorry to hear about your grandmother’s pasting. She was always a joy to watch. Celebrate her long life and keep your memories close to your heart and she will always be with you-til you meet again.
I’m so sorry for your loss, your family will be in my prayers.
oh honey , I am so sorry for your loss she was a beautiful soul. just like you!!
So sorry for your loss, Colin. We will all miss Ma. My girls and I were so sad when we read your posting. Ma lived a joyous and full life, and she was blessed to have you in her life 🙂 Lots of Love and Many Blessings, Lynette
Colin, I too have followed you for some time now. I want to THANK YOU for sharing your Grandmother with us. What a blessing. Thinking of you in tears writing your post, brought to my mind my own grandma whom I lost a few years ago at 92. How lucky were we to have had them in our lives. Again Thank You for sharing your posts with us, you are a gem and you can tell your grandma thought so too from the look in her eyes….
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family. You have her smile.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She will be missed dearly, she always put a smile on my face even when I was going through some very hard times.You and your family were so very lucky to have her. Your grace to celebrate your life and hers is something not everyone can or would do. May your birthday be full of Love and continued kindness.
I am bawling now. You shared her with us, and she was awesome. Thank you and my sincere condolences.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of your loss Collin’ my condolences to you and your family.
Life is great. But I am glad I read that you are keeping her words in your thoughts at all time. Everyone needs to live life without worries because it will come to an end. I am sorry you are going through this hurt but I am sure you have many to be either you during these days of pain. Have a happy birthday and enjoy it all
Sorry for your loss collin
Sorry for your loss….I loved seeing Ma in your videos..
Oh Collin,
I am so sorry to hear about Ma. She was one of those people who brought joy to all of those around her (even to those of us Hip2Savers who never really knew her). It was clear to all of us how much she really loved you. You brought tremendous joy to her life as well. She will always be smiling down upon you and one day you will see her again. RIP Ma! And Happy Birthday Collin. Ma would want you to laugh and not be sad. Ma has shown you how to live a full life. Follow her example. 🙂
Ma was special. Thank you for sharing her with us.
So sorry for your loss. I send prayers for all of your family. Seeing her on hip2save with you was so enjoyable. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful, wonderful lady with us.
What a great story. I wish your ma read this post. I deeply feel how much you love her. My grand mother passed away at 91 years old. She raised me cuz my mom was working like 24/7. I was very close to her so when i saw your videos with your ma, i always rethought of my grand ma. Your post made me cry too. Hug, collin!
Hugs to you and your family!! She was a gem, and will be greatly missed by this reader:(
Sorry for your loss… She looked super fun and full of life and she definitely lives on.
I loved seeing her videos and pictures..
So sorry for your loss. I can see how much you adore her in the pictures. My heart breaks for you. Sending prayers and hugs:)
I’m so sorry you lost Ma. Great post in her tribute. She was probably with you when you wrote it.
Oh, Collin…I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your very special family. Thanks for sharing Ma with us…your relationship with her is so inspiring.
So sorry for the loss of Ma – she was so much fun and so special. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I will miss seeing Ma on all the cute videos. She was so fun and had such a great sense of humor. Sorry for your loss at this difficult time
Hugs 🙂
My condolences for you and your family. I, too, feel like I’ve loss someone dear. I’ve enjoyed her presence in Hip2Save and watched all the videos she’s in. May she rest in peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories brighten your days ahead. God bless you all.
Heaven just gained an angel. She always brought a smile to my face.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I found your site thru my husband a year ago & Hip2save became a part of our daily lives including “Ma”. Surely she’ll be greatly missed. Thank you for sharing “Ma” to us. Our condolences and prayers to you and your family… And sorry i forgot to greet you “Happy Birthday”. Pls. make sure you do have fun today despite of your loss. I’m sure “Ma” would have wanted you to celebrate your special day. God Bless!!❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. My favorite videos on your site were those that you included Ma in and it was obvious the two of you shared a special bond. Hugs from your H2S family.
So sorry for your loss, what a beautiful tribute and lady!
Ma filled us all with joy! Prayers and love for your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Ma was a very special person and the relationship the two of you have is a amazing. She is so proud of you and your family and how you help others. Celebrate her life and your familys! Happy Birthday!
So sorry for your loss. I lost my grandma 14 years ago and I miss her everyday. We had/have a special relationship like you had with your Ma. She truly was my best friend and I try every day to be more like her. Your whole family is in my prayers.
So sorry for your loss. It was easy to see the the great love you had for each other.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Im so sorry for your loss our prayers are with you and your family.Happy Birthday to you!
I’m teary eyed too, sorry for the loss
Awww Collin I’m so sorry for your loss ;o(….Sending you & your family my love
I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved grandmother aka Ma . My grandmother/ my BFF passed away 1 yr ago yesterday . May your family find some type of piece . My thoughts are with you all .
So sorry for your loss. I truly enjoyed watching Ma in your videos! Your family is in my prayers <3
Very sorry for ur lost some of my fav videos were with ma I know how hard it is they say it gets better over time it doest just learn to live with it day to day
Collin – I’m so sorry for your loss, I know how special she was to you and all of us!! Prayers with you and your family!!
Collin, I can’t help to thank what feelings you are having today with the passing of Ma. Your Ma reminds me so much of my Granny, that I too was able to have a part of my life for a fair amount of time. She passed at 95(?). Your Ma even resembled Granny. Family too was a large part of my Granny’s world, having 8 children of her own, that made for many grandchildren. I Loved watching all of the videos of you and Ma. They always gave me chills, how much Ma looked like Granny, but too how they made me smile, reminding me of all of the special times we shared. Thank you Collin and always be thankful of the amount of time you were able to have Ma, as many are not so lucky as we were having our Grandmothers in our life for such a length time. To think of Ma and my Granny together now makes me giggle of the amount of laughter that must be taking place. I am sorry for being so wordy but this really hits home with me and is a special topic to me. Take care and hold on to those memories. BTW, Happy Birthday!!!!!:}
Prayers to you and your family. She WILL be missed by the Hip2Save community.
Losing a grandmother is so difficult. I’ve lost both of mine. They, too, were beautiful women and role models. You are so fortunate to have had her in your life and all of those great photos of the two of you together. Hugs
So special your Ma – you share so much with us – she was an added perk that really made such a difference in so many of our lives – we are sorry to see her leave us – we are here to support you and comfort you during this time – RIP Ma – we love you.
I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family. Heaven has gained and Angel to look after you.