A Beautiful Life…

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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.

Join The Discussion

Comments 2065

  1. Linda

    I enjoyed the posts and videos of you and your “Ma”. Thank you for sharing her with us. It was always a delightful experience to see you and her when I clicked on your site. My condolences to you and your family for your loss.

  2. Rose

    Im so sorry for your loss she will be missed I couldnt stop crying as I was reading 🙁

  3. Amy

    What a legacy she left! Always smiling always up for a good time with her granddaughter. I Lift you and your family up to the Lord in your time of grief.

    Have a wonderful birthday and share lots of memories of
    Ma!

  4. Carolyn

    My deepest condolences to you and your family. It was obvious from the things you posted that she was a lady filled with a fun loving spirit. May the memories you have of her bring you comfort.

  5. Julie L

    That was a beautiful tribute and the many smiling pics of “Ma” are proof that her sunshine is still going to be felt . . . I know I smiled as I looked through the photos you included. I bet she was as beautiful inside as she was out. Prayers for you and your family! ❤️

  6. Swirlypop

    Love and prayers to you and your family. Thank you for sharing Ma with us over the years. We will all miss her.

  7. niki

    ohhh and one last thing..scroll up and look at what time your wrote this post. exactly 143!! many of you know what that means, and for me and my family it is something we do in my house anytime we see it, we feel the love we smile and we hug each other…that number means I LOVE YOU, “I” has 1 letter in it, “LOVE” has 4 letters in it and “YOU” has 3 letters, so 143~ !!! i love you from your ma ;)… thats pretty special..everythign happens just the way god plans!!!

  8. sharada

    So sorry to hear this and condolences to you and your family. She was a very special person!

  9. Susan

    I am truly sorry for your loss. Just from following Hip2Save I know how close you were with Ma. Keep your memories and pass them along to your kids and eventually your own grand kids. And take some time to spend with your family…the deals are not as important and can wait.

  10. Meme

    So sorry for your loss you and your family are in my prayers

  11. A

    What a wonderful woman ❤️ so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing her with us!

  12. Esther

    So sorry for the loss of this beautiful lady….

  13. Jennifer

    this is truly beautiful I am so sorry for you loss! These pictures are simply precious. My kids complain sometimes about too many pictures but I say you can never have to many. God bless you and your family!

  14. Gen

    So sorry for your loss Colin. It always brightened my day when Ma would pop up in your posts. Seeing the two of you reminded me of the relationship with my late grandmother. It is a blessing you and your kids have so many great memories with her.

  15. Mel

    So sorry for your loss. Ma will be missed but she definitely lived life to the fullest.

  16. Bonita

    So sorry for your loss, prayers for your family. I loved seeing your Ma through pictures and videos, she seemed to be a very sweet woman. Condolences to you and your family, Colin.

  17. Lisa

    So sorry to hear your Ma passed away. I always enjoyed watching you and Ma going to Target. You can see she has so much spunk in her and I see where you would get that from. Sweet pictures of the two of you.

  18. Cindy J.

    Collin, thank you for letting us get to know this very special woman. I am so sorry for your loss!

  19. brieanna

    I’m so sorry just so sorry. She is in a better place ,flying high and sharing her love. She will always be with you. As i started to read, I started to cry. My husband asked why I was crying and I told him that MA passed away and he started to cry. She is a wonderful woman and she will always be by your side. We are all here for you Collin. We love you and your family. Happy birthday!

  20. Jennifer

    What a sweet tribute, Collin. I am so sorry for your loss. Grandparents are some of the most special people In the world. I’m so happy that we were able to share in Ma’s joy through your videos. She was such a fun soul. My thoughts are with you and your family.

  21. val becktell

    I am so sorry for the loss of your Ma. I really enjoyed the videos and pictures of you two. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  22. Kathy

    Oh My Goodness. I had a tender spot for “Ma.” I wish her peace, and I wish you a happy birthday, Collin. You will make a great “Ma” someday 🙂

  23. Catalina

    Colin, I am so sorry for your loss. I have been following Hip2Save for 6 years now and have enjoyed seeing your grandmother become a part of your posts throughout the years. It was quite evident how close you two were. I hope you and your family find peace in knowing that she truly isn’t gone…just waiting on the other side.
    Happy Birthday

  24. cecilia

    I am so sorry for your loss Collin! Ma was such an amazing woman and I am sure that she is dancing and couponing in heaven. There is a new angel looking out for you and your family. God bless you, your family and specially god bless the incredible loving and giving soul of Ma.

  25. C

    She will be missed by all. I know how special grandmothers can be as I was very close to mine and she too helped mold me into the person I am today. It is hard to lose someone that means so much to you, but she will always be with you. Your post is written beautifully, Collin, and I am sure she is sending you lots of love on your birthday! My sympathies to you and your family. <3

  26. Melinda

    So very sorry for your loss. What a blessing she was to your family for 93 years! May your memories comfort you in the days ahead. God bless you and your family!

  27. emiliekoch

    I am so sorry for your loss Collin. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time <3

  28. Kat

    Oh my goodness, I am so sorry for your loss, Collin!! Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. The savings blogosphere can’t take another loss!! I am so sad for my favorite blogging ladies this past couple of weeks.

  29. Linda

    She was so full of life and fun. I hope to be that much fun when I am that young. I hope I don’t turn into a crabby old lady. RIP “MA

  30. Amy

    Happy birthday Collin! I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Ma with us. She will be missed.

  31. Donna

    Collin,
    I lost my Granny earlier this year 2 days shy of her 93rd birthday. I know exactly what you are going through! I was blessed enough to have my Granny for 47 years. She was a lovely, fun-loving woman whose family was the most important thing in her life. She sounds a lot like Ma 🙂
    Your Ma will be missed greatly, but your memories of her and all you shared will remain with you forever! Happy birthday!

  32. Jenny

    I am so sorry for your loss. Ma was such a special person, and so are you. You could tell how much Ma enjoyed spending time with you. You including in her so much of what you do was so special and truly a gift. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and will be sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

  33. Brenna

    Colin, I know what your going through is hard! I lost my grandmother over 10 years ago and I still think about her everyday! She was like a second mom to me!! You could tell in your videos how proud she was of you!! I loved all your videos with Ma she brought a smile to everyone’s face!! Praying for you and your family!!

  34. Court

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for all that you do for the Hip2Save community. You’re still posting throughout all of this – you’re the best. I hope your heart can find peace!

  35. Mona

    I am in tears — I thought when I saw that lovely photo she was coming back. I enjoyed her company so much on your videos. My deepest and sincere sympathy to all her family.

  36. Amy

    What a beautiful story, Collin! I am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your life and your grandmother’s life with us through this site. You have such wonderful memories that I know your will treasure and that will get your through the tough times. Seeing your pictures with your grandmother always brought a smile to my face! Sending you many blessing during this difficult time…

  37. Rachel

    I’m so sorry for your loss Collin. She seemed like such a sweet soul. I enjoyed seeing your silly pictures. At least you have all these wonderful memories and you know she was loved by so many who never even met her. ♡ Prayers for your family.

  38. JES

    I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Ma with us in the Hip2Save community, she always put a smile on my face. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  39. Terry

    So sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers and happy memories of an amazing lady. You definitely have her qualities of love and sunshine. Thanks for all you do for all of us.

  40. King Sweep

    So sorry to hear of your loss. Also happy birthday!

  41. Jaclyn

    Oh gosh Collin! I am so, so sorry for your loss! She will be greatly missed by the Hip2Save fans! I loved seeing the special bond & fun the 2 of you had on coupon adventures! Despite loosing Ma I hope you have a Happy Birthday remembering all of the fun & good times you had.
    Teary Eyed Fan 🙁

  42. Jessica

    So sorry for your loss she was such a beautiful person and will be missed

  43. agata

    I’m so sorry for your loss

  44. Mini

    So sorry to loss our MOM. We all miss her love and blessings. May the rest in peace.

  45. Brittany

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It looks like she lived a beautiful life. Thanks for sharing her with us.

  46. Crystal

    I’m sorry for your loss. I’ll be praying that your family will be comforted during this difficult time.

  47. v

    Oh Colin. My condolences to you and your family. What spunk Ma added to the site. I enjoyed reading of the many deal seeking missions the two of you went on. What a pleasure to have had the opportunity to share in on the times you and she spent together.
    My best to your family.

  48. Rena

    That makes me so sad she was such a sweet lady….I’m very sorry for your family’s loss.

  49. ellen

    happy birthday, sweet Collin, and so sorry to hear about your loss. Ma was a lovely lady and it was a delight to know her through your blog. She will be missed dearly, by those near and far!

  50. Jamie

    Aw so sorry for your loss.Many thoughts and prayers for you and your family.Try to have a happy birthday.I am sure Ma would want you to 🙂

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