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, thank you for sharing your grandma with all of us. I admire the relationship that you had with her. She is gone, but will never be forgotten. Her smile will live on forever in you. Happy birthday and God bless.
I’m so sorry, Collin. Ma was the cutest and the sweetest, we are all going to miss her 🙁
I am so sorry for your loss. You were a wonderful granddaughter who loved her grandmother very much. I feel as though all your Hipsters are grieving your loss as we loved her too. You could tell what a wonderful spirit and energy she had. I hope your memories comfort you.
I’m sorry for your loss, Colin. Will keep you and your family in my prayers that the Lord will give you comfort and strength through this difficult time.
Sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry about your loss… I have watched so many of your videos with her- and those are my favorites.. always put a smile on my face… Our prayers with you and your family…
So sorry for your loss. Thank your for sharing your wonderful grandmother with the H2S community–she seemed to be a very special lady. <>
Sorry for your loss. I loved the videos with your grandma, they showed the bond you had with her. Thankful that you shared that with all of us.
I am so very sorry Collin. I could feel the love you both shared when watching the videos. You are very blessed to have had such a wonderful person in your life. She will be extremely missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Cherish the memories
So sorry, Collin…thank you for sharing her with us.
Collin: So sorry to hear about Ma passing away. I pray that you and your family with find solace and peace by knowing that God has her in His hand. It reminds us to treasure what we have as time flies by so fast. Draw closer to God and He will ease your sorrow. Enjoyed all the videos of you and MA together and your antics. Please celebrate your birthday as Ma is celebrating with you.
Your faithful reader and extended family Eileen
I’m so sorry for your lose!
I am so sorry for your loss. How blessed you were to have your grandmother in your life!! What a beautiful tribute. \
Tears are rolling down my cheeks. What a great way to honor a beautiful soul! Love,
Collin, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Your post brought me to tears 🙁
I am in tears reading this because I loved the post you put with her, It was her beautiful smile that I loved. I am 35 and my Gma is my everything, so it was nice to look at someone else that shared the same relationship! My prayers are with you and your family!
so sorry to hear..you are in my thoughts and prayers..RIP Ma you were such a happy funny lady!
Awww…. Iam sorry to hear that Collin, Your grandmother was always such a fun person and funny, as I could tell from your videos that you make taking her shopping with you. May she Rest In Peace. I hope she is in heaven with your grandpa. My condolences go out to you and your family, friends and loved ones. I know you will never get over it but, I hope God can wrap you in his arms and hug you and her kids your family and people who truly cared about her tightly, and hold you in his arms and comfort you and know that you are loved, cared for and not alone. I hope he heals your pain and your heart from such sadness, and have peace and love and joy back in to your life. R.I.P “Ma” may you Rest In God’s arms. She will always be remember as A Hip Saver and, a beautiful joyful spirit, who made people laugh and smile who was funny.
Thank you for sharing Ma with all of us. I would have never known her if it wasn’t for you and couponing.
So sorry for your loss! Ma was so full of joy and she always put a smile on my face!
I am so so so sorry for your loss. I’m so glad for you and your family that you have had many wonderful years with her. My deepest sympathy to your entire family. Thank you for all you do. 😔
So sorry for your loss. Touchingly beautiful tribute. Thoughts are with you and your family.
Collin I’m so sorry!! You’re tribute & pictures to Ma are so beautiful. Truly, a special relationship you’ll carry in your soul forever
I loved seeing pics of your Ma on Hip2save, she always made me smile. Rest in peace Ma.
She brought so many smiles to so many people. Her positive attitude and willingness to get out and have fun is a lesson for all of us. Thank you for sharing her. She will be missed. Praying for all.
Sorry for your loss Collin…. hugs.
Happy Birthday!
I’m so sorry to hear this. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family.
Dear Collin,
My heart dropped when I heard of Ma’s passing. I know the pain and empty space that losing someone who was such a large part of your life leaves. I enjoyed seeing Ma. I could tell that she had musical talent as well. She had a lovely voice. I hope you find some comfort in knowing how many of us who follow your site loved Ma. She was a bright light in this world….we need more people like her! So, here is to Ma.
Why do people come into our lives; and walk with us a mile?
and them because of circumstances; they only stay a while
They fulfill the needs and fill the days that move so quickly by
And then are gone beyond our reach; leaving us asking why?
God only knows the reasons that we meet and share a smile;
But I am so grateful to have known Ma through your site;
And walked with her a mile.
God bless you and your family.
Collin, so sorry to hear your sad news. May her memory be a blessing.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was an amazing woman and I know she will be missed by so many. Thank you for sharing her with us . Prayers to you and your family. May the great memories you have keep you company in this time of sorrow
So sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. What an amazing lady and what a great relationship you two had.
Our prayers to you and your family from Asheville, NC
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can empathize; losing my grandmother twenty years ago was one of the hardest things in my life. You have wonderful memories of Ma and those last forever. Prayers for you and your family.
I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing about your grandmother. She sounds like she was quite a funtastic person (pictures were so great) and awesome role model. I hope you are able to continue to feel her spirit in your terrific website
So sorry for your loss. I miss my grandmother everyday, and she left this earth 25 years ago. Continue to remember the fun times, and that will make it easier.
so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. It seems like she had an amazing spirit!
“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.”
– Richard Bach
Thinking of you during this time of sorrow.
What a lovely tribute. You’re so lucky to have had such a wonderful role model. My grandmother was amazing too. She passed away almost 2 years ago and not a day goes by that I don’t think of her and miss her. When I’m shopping sometimes I’ll see something she’d like and I’ll have an urge for a moment to buy it before I realize she’s gone. My thoughts are with you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a beautiful person.
May her memory be eternal!
I am so so sorry for you and your family’s loss. She was an incredibly special lady. Thank you for letting us get to know her.
Dear Colin, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Ma. Thank you for sharing your Ma with us all these years. I always smiled so big when I saw her pics and videos. She was like a ray of sunshine and rainbows popping through my screen. I could feel the deep love you had for each other. I am wiping away the tears as I am typing this because she was such a huge part of this Hip community. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Will be thinking about you all through these difficult times. XO.
Such a wonderful tribute! She reminds me so much of my grandma! I hope all your great memories with her will comfort you!
Such a beautiful story. I lost my grandma of cancer last November just know she is still with you! Thanks for sharing your story.
I truly feel your pain, I lost my dear granny almost 2 years ago and I miss her everyday. God Bless you and your family. I pray that you get all the strength you need.
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Collin.
My condolences on your loss. I really enjoyed your Grandmother in the Hip2Save videos. My thoughts are with you.