Dear Poppa,

We said goodbye to the most incredible man six months ago. It seems like it was just yesterday I saw you in that hospital bed in so much pain. You didn't look like you. You weren't the tall, strong, confident, farmer I have always known. You could tell you needed to leave earth. And as much as I would love to keep you here forever I couldn't bear to see you in that much pain anymore. When everyone left the hospital room, I took your hand, the big hand that has always led me through my life. I said "If you want to leave there's nothing holding you back.", saying that broke me. You looked up at me and said "Cowgirls don't cry baby, so you don't cry when I'm gone, okay? I love you." You wiped my tears off my face and that's when I knew you made your decision about leaving this earth. My grandma, aunts and uncles, mom and dad, and brother, all came back into the room they told me that my brother and I should leave because no grandchild should see their grandfather in this much pain. I told them not to worry because I just had the best last memory of my grandpa, being strong and worrying about me before himself. That night we got the call. I hadn't cried until we went to your house to sort out what you were going to wear for the funeral. I was upstairs by myself, listening to music, then I found the picture. You with your favorite horse. I cried. Then the song "Grandpa" by the Judds came on. That's the moment I knew you made it and that you are going to be okay with God. I have never been more proud to have your last name.

I will forever love and miss you,

Skyelin Rae Borcherding