Guest Writer: Travis Arment
When Father’s Day comes around, the
first song that I’m taken back to is the song, "Daddy’s Hands"
by Holly Dunn*. It tells the story of the reasons and purposes for what dads do to teach and mold us into the people we will
become. In a world where there are more broken homes and fatherless
children than ever in history, it greatly impacts me when I see
fathers being active in their children's and family’s life. So Dad, this is for you...a personal letter to you, from me. 
There isn’t a single person in my
life that I have spent more time studying and watching than you.
Some of my earliest memories include: mowing the grass while tornado
sirens were going off, teaching me to throw and bat right-handed
because you couldn’t understand how I could be left-handed,
catching a fish with no bait-just a hook, teaching me how to build a
fence on the farm and the hard work it entailed, teaching me how to
garden and can food, working two jobs so that we had enough to eat,
spending hours filming all of our sporting and life events without
complaining, talking and teaching me how to get through a break up
when it felt like my world had exploded, watching you fight for a
marriage and our family ... the list could go on of the lessons,
morals and values you modeled for me. 
Among all these great stories and
memories, the one that is most familiar to me is when I got out of
the Navy and moved home while trying to mend my life. It was a
single event that will forever be in my memory. I was painting the
garage with you and I finally broke down and had to fight through the
tears to form words. My question to you was “are you ashamed of
me?” I was at a low point in my life. I couldn’t find
employment, even though I had all the credentials, awards and merit.
I was in a state of rejection, but it was your words that broke my
mindset and really planted a seed within my heart that I will never
forget. You said, “How can you say that? Mom and I couldn’t be
more proud of the man you are and what you will be. I don’t know
what you are going through or what you are thinking, but just know
that I love you and I am here for you, even if it’s just to
listen.” They were really just simple words, but they had a profound
effect on who I am today. It also sums you up, as a simple man.
Your model of fatherhood has set the
bar for all who know you. You have been part of my biggest life
moments including: not missing a single sporting, school, or life
event, sailing with me on the USS Ronald Reagan for a week in the
Pacific as we returned from deployment, and witnessing my public
baptism at Palo Lake. I don’t need to read a book on being a
father when I have you to go to for advice. It is the core values
you have instilled into me of integrity, character, professionalism,
and excellence that have become the foundations of not only 
Thank you for being such a great mentor
and father. It still cracks me up that you wear the same belt that
tanned my hide when I was young to this day! Thank you for the
sacrifices, long nights, talks, wisdom and advice, and for mirroring
the Father’s heart to all of us.
*Holly Dunn. Daddy's Hands. Tommy West, 1986. MP3.
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