Summary of “Arm Wrestling with My Father” by Brad Manning

The story “Arm Wrestling with My Father” by Brad Manning is about his childhood and his relationship with his father. This story portraits a great relationship between a father and a son and how it changes over time. In the beginning of the story Manning tells the readers about how his relationship with his father has always been physical. But that was his father’s way of communicating with him, which Manning learned later. Manning never won once in arm wrestling with his father during his childhood; his father would always win. Manning included that he used to love losing to his father that would made him proud to have a strong father, but his feelings changed over time. Manning included that while he grew up and became strong, his father aged he became weak. Manning also tried to follow his father’s steps. Manning wanted to be just like his father, strong and powerful and that's why he joined the road crew. One day between college exams Manning came home, he cannot quiet recall how it started but him and his father started arm wrestling again but this time it was different and Manning was winning. That's when Manning realizes winning is not everything; sometimes letting go is the better choice to make. He realizes how his father had been the protector of the family and his strong arms had always protected them. He also remembers how much his dad had done for him and their family to keep them safe; because his dad was strong he never felt afraid when he was around him cause he knew his strong arms will protect him always.

The next day when Manning was leaving for college for the first time his father hugged him. He was not used to it so he got embarrassed. When he left, he felt his father’s love. He realizes that the time has changed. Now that Manning became stronger he is afraid that if he can take the responsibilities like his father.