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’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my grandma eight years ago – today would have been her 98th birthday. Celebrating her, you, and Ma today.
I have said this before, I sometimes click on the rocking chair at the bottom of your page just to hear her voice. Their was something about hearing her voice that made me smile. Thank You for sharing your Ma, she was a treasure.
Sorry for your loss and sending prayers to you and your family for healing during your time of finding a balance. She really looked like a fun loving spirt andI loved seeing her smile and crazy poses in your post. Thank you for sharing her with us.
So sorry for your loss Colin. She appeared to be a wonderful person, guess that’s where you get it from. Condolences to you and your family.
My condolences to your family. May she Rest In Peace in her 2nd part of life….
So sorry for your loss, prayers for your family.
So sorry to hear of your Ma’s passing. You could tell in your pic’s that she was a spunky lady with a zest for life. Prayers for you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear this! My thoughts are with your family during this difficult time. You will always have the beautiful and bright memories she brought to you and your loved ones.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I always loved seeing your videos with Ma in them. God bless you and your family! <3
So sorry for your loss. May God Bless and comfort you on your Birthday.
Awww.. I’m SO very sorry for your loss. I loved “Ma’s” contribution to this site. It always made me smile to see how much fun she had with you and I will miss seeing her. I hope that time will help to heal your wound. You’re in my thoughts.
So sorry for your loss! She seemed like a sweet lady and loving grandma!
I am so sorry for your loss! Ma was a special lady, and I feel like I knew her too! I also have tears running down my face 🙁
I’m so so sorry for your lost Collin. 🙁 Ma was great person and thanks to you , she was part of our life too :-(.
I am so sorry. You could tell from your posts how amazing of a person she was and how much she meant to you. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time ❤️
I am so sorry to hear this. She was such a joy to watch. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry for your loss.
Many prayers are being said for you and your family. So sorry for your loss.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, Collin. I can feel how much love and energy she exuded. What a blessing for her to also have had you and your family to share some incredible memories and experiences with. Truly blessed, Collin.
Collin- you know how to make Hipsters cry as much as we laugh. Happy Birthday & God bless you! 😘
PS- pa-lease ……tell me you’re going to be offering “flat Ma’s” as part of your birthday bash…. Like autographs, they’re now going to be worth a whole lot more to those Hipsters who win 😉. Hope I made you smile a little during this time of grief.
Wouldn’t it just be an amazing Birthday gift if we could break your web site with condolences 💔and 🎂 well wishes? 😏. I remember my husband making me laugh the night my mom died… I don’t even remember what he said or did, I just knew that I was going to be OK.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. We all know she was loved just by all of the wonderful, funny pictures that you posted of y’all together. You are right. She is with your Grandfather enjoying the presence of each other and our Lord, smiling down on you. It is after all, not a goodbye, but a see you later. And you know you will. Prayers for you and your family and everyone who came to love Ma.
Thoughts and prayers to you,your family and loved ones. RIP Ma!!
My sympathies, Colin. She appears to have been quite a lady!
So sorry for your loss! Grandmother’s hold a special place in their grandchildren’s hearts! prayers for you and your family
Thank you for sharing grandma with us. Sad to hear the news too. Condolences to you and your family.
Sorry for your loss. Your posts with Ma brought a smile to my face.
I think everyone ought to have a “Ma” in their life! Thank you for sharing her with all of us.
Very sorry for the loss of your grandmother. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope your day is filled with love and happiness, Happy Birthday!
Collin my heart breaks for you and your family and our Hip2Save family who will truly mourn the loss of this wonderful woman. I loved and watched every single video with Ma, she was such a hoot. I am so sorry for your loss, may you and your family find comfort during this time of grief.
I am so sorry for your loss and hope you were able to draw on those good memories to achieve some enjoyment on your birthday.
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers your way.
I was just watching some of your old videos with Ma in them the other day. My heart breaks for you. Many prayers for u
God bless you all. I loved seeing her great pics w you. May she shine down on you every day smiling. Cherish the wonderful memories.
Life is so short and you’re right you must cherish every moment.
So sorry. God Bless.
What an incredible life she led…what a blessings you received through it 🙂
I’m so sorry for your loss! Im sitting here at my desk at work, trying not to cry. When I picture Ma, I think of a recent Target trip you posted (a few months ago) of Ma in the car putting on lip gloss you’d just bought. And her running the motorized cart into everything at the store. So cute, bless her heart! I hope you have a happy birthday, I’m sure Ma would want you to.
She will be missed, Thank You for sharing her with us. I can’t tell you how many times she put a smile on my face from her being so active on here. I am sorry for your loss, we share it with you because she was a part of hip2save. Much love Namaste
I saw the title of the post, and I saw it coming. Collin, I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling. I know me, and many other readers included, feel 100% of what you feel. I felt the attachment to her lively and spirited character very much like yours. She is someone I would never want to lose, and it just goes to show how precious life can be – here one second, and gone another. Thank you for introducing Ma to your readers, she will be forever remember in this Hip2Save community. You will be in my prayers tonight, Collin. This isn’t the end – you’ll see her again someday 🙂
May you be comforted by your memories. She was a sweet lady. Sorry for your loss!
Grandmothers are so special. I’m so sorry yours passed away. My own grandma passed away nearly a decade ago and I still miss her fiercely. I believe we will see our loved ones again though bad that families can be together forever!
I am so sorry for your loss Collin. Ma lived a fantastic life but, that doesn’t make your hurt any less. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
What fun you two must have had together, judging from all the great photos you post. She will be missed for sure, thank you for sharing her fun spirit with all of us and I’m so sorry for your loss.
So sorry Collin!!! I loved your posts with her! Such a spunky lady-my love and prayers to you!!
Oh I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved seeing her on the page with you. Many prayers to you and your family!
So sorry for your loss! What a wonderful lady to have had in your life.
I’m truly sorry for your loss, Collin. She’s made me laugh, smile, and feel so happy through the videos and I miss her so much, too. I wish I could be like her when I get older. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so sorry for your loss Collin, sending prayers and hugs your way. RIP Ma
My deepest condolences! My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family! God bless!
Sorry for your loss
Thoughts are with you and your family.