Climb from the Cellar: How One Michigan Kid, Born in a Basement, Found His Way Up to the American Dream

Wayne Lobdell views himself as a very lucky guy. He was born in a basement apartment, grew up in the humble environment of a little farm and survived a move to the hood when his father became ill. The inspiring example of his father's hard work and meeting the special person in his life in junior high pointed him on a path to finding his way to a better life. Wayne's recollection of his childhood years on the farm with his brothers is intriguingly revealing of fifties life on a little farm; adventurous, amusing and sometimes sad. They were educated in a one room school of thirty students from K through eighth grade under the tutelage of a militant teacher who pegged them at the bottom of the country's social hierarchy. The brothers faced culture shock when circumstances forced them to move on to city life where caring but uneducated and naïve parents left the boys dangerously exposed to life's choices of good and evil. Two of the brothers chose a difficult path; a frequently dark path that led them each to a challenged life, disappointment and misfortune. Although Wayne experienced some temporary darkness as well, he found his way to the American dream; a wonderful family, success in business, contentment and the ability to give back to his community.