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 so sorry for your loss, you and your family will be in our prayers. What a wonderful gift to have known such a wonderful woman!
So sorry for your loss, Collin. She was full of love and life. May God give you and your family peace and comfort during this trying time.
Have a blessed birthday.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I was very close to my grandma who passed almost 3 years ago. Today at the grocery I saw a little lady who looked so much like her, even had the clothes to match. For a split second my heart leaped with excitement. I smiled and I imagine my grandma was there with me.
I just loved that you included your granny on your coupon adventures and I could tell that she was very dear to you. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sending your family strength through through these times. I know seeing Ma on the Hip2Save site was inspiring for me that she was so active & youthful at her age. May her memories live on!
I am so sorry to hear about Ma. Sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss Collin. May God grant you strength during this time.
We will miss ma in your posts, stay strong. You have many hipsters who are all here for you anytime you need. Happy Birthday to you on your special day. God Bless
So very sorry for your loss. Ma was obviously a vivacious, special woman.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have followed your blog for years and have enjoyed watching your videos with Ma. She was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed by your followers. Happy Birthday
Collin, so sorry for your loss! We all loved Ma too. Thank you for sharing her with us. Prayers for you and your family!
Colin, So very sorry for your loss, all my blessings to your entire family. You were so very fortunate to share her long life !!Even though I remember my grandmothers ;they both passed when I was six years old, 2 weeks apart & right before Christmas. Again you were blessed to share her long life ; she will be missed by your
Hip2Save family!! Enjoy your birthday to the fullest;Im sure Ma wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!
So sorry for you and your families loss. I felt like I got to know Ma through Hip2save. She was an amazing person. My prayers are with you and your family.
So very sorry for your loss.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful life. May your sweet memories always flood your mind and heart. Blessings and extra prayers for you and your family.
What a wonderful tribute to your special Ma. I have enjoyed watching her on your videos. What a wonderful long life she had. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless, Kathy in Illinois
I am so sorry for your loss. May her soul rest in peace
Colin, so very sorry for your loss. I so enjoyed watching Ma in all of you videos. She always brought a smile to my face. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m in tears reading this too because I lost my fiesty little Italian grandma when she was 93. Hugs to you and your family as you navigate this tough time.
I’m so sorry. So glad you have so many great memories with her! She always seemed like such an awesome person from what I saw of her on here.
Collin I am so sorry for your loss. I write this with tears streaming down my cheeks. Thank you for sharing all those wonderful years with her. We loved seeing her in those videos. I am glad you have those videos of her to help you through your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. 🙁 Sad news.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Ma. She truly was an inspiration and such a wonderful human being. I enjoyed her so much in all the videos she was in. THANK YOU for sharing her with all of us. Happy Birthday. Much love and peace to you.
She really was full of sunshine! I’am sorry for your loss, although i’am sure all the beautiful memories you have of her will live forever in your heart.
May her soul rest in peace I’m sending my condolences to your family Collin
So sorry for your loss, will miss watching the 2 of you on your shopping adventures but just remember she will be right there with you in spirit on your shopping trips
So sorry for your loss Collin. Loved watching the videos that you did with her.
What a beautiful tribute. What a treasure you have in all your photos and memories. The legacy continues. Your sweet spirit shines and blesses even in your grief. The Lord bless you, keep you, make His face shine upon you and give you peace.
I am so sorry for your loss Collin! I love seeing the good relationship you and “Ma” had! I love seeing your pictures and videos together! You and your family are in my prayers. I hope you have a wonderful Birthday in spite of all tears! <3
So sorry for your loss. I lost my dear 94 year old Gma last December & feel your sadness, but like you, am so thankful for having such an amazing woman in my life. Prayers for you and your family!
So sorry for your loss, Collin, but what a lovely tribute. You could tell your Ma lived life to the fullest. Thoughts & prayers are with you as well as the warmest of birthday wishes. Love to you.
Oh, I am sooo soo sorry for your loss. I have tears in my eyes. My gran passed away when I was in my early 20’s, and while I loved every single second I spent with her growing up, I can’t help but always feel a loss that she wasn’t around when I got married and had my kids. I lived vicariously through your videos, b/c my gran just reminded me soo much Ma.
What a beautiful tribute . I am sorry for your loss .
I’m deeply sorry for your loss!
I’m so sorry for your loss but so glad you had her and she brought you such happiness. She was a very “young” and beautiful 93.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family. This brought tears to my eyes knowing how special she was to you.
So sorry to hear about your loss! Sending prayers and hugs your way!!
I am so, so, so very sorry for your loss. Many hugs!!
I’m so sorry for your loss, praying for peace and comfort at this time.
I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and your grandmother through your videos and always looked forward to seeing the ones she was in. You are so blessed to have had such a wonderful relationship. Many families do not appreciate their elderly family members until they are gone. Enjoy all the wonderful memories and celebrate her life every day.
I am sorry that Ma is no longer physically in your presence but always there spiritually. I loved seeing pics of you and Ma together!! They always looked like she was so.. much fun and lively!! THANK YOU for sharing her with us in the Hip2Save Community!! Take care and be blessed for you were one lucky gal to have such a great women in your life!! Prayers for you and your family as you mourn and try to carry on and celebrate her and your birthday!!
By the way, Happy Birthday Collin!! I hope you enjoy today!! God Bless!!
God takes the best because they’ve taught us as much as they know and passed on as much as they could to make US the best we can be on this earth. Don’t worry, you’ll see her again. :).. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I loved seeing the love between you both on your site..
So sorry for loss. Will miss seeing you an Ma together.
Oh no…I am so sorry.i love her.RIP.
So sorry for your loss. My grandmother died in January & was the same age. I will miss seeing you both together on your blog. She always looked happy & so full of joy. Happy Birthday, so sorry u have to celebrate it through your tears.
Although I did not know your Ma she always brought a smile to my face in your videos. Watching her almost take the store down in her cart, putting on lip gloss or snacking as you shopped. She was the ray of sunshine you always are Collin and that’s why seeing you together was always so special. Hold onto all the wonderful moments you’ve shared together and know she is always with you, a part of the beautiful person you have become. Deepest sympathies Collin.
So sorry for your loss, Collin. You and your family are in my prayers.
So sorry for the loss Collin. It’s the hardest thing to lose someone very special. She is always in our memories too.
I just cried when I read your post. Losing a loved one, especially one so dear, is one of the most agonizing things you can go through. Prayers for you and your family.take comfort in knowing that she made so many of us smile too.
After reading through so many comments, it is plain to see how many of us want to rally around you and offer our support. You have done so much for us and although we can only offer our kind words and prayers, I hope the overwhelming response as offered some comfort. Happy home-going Ma!