The Other Side of the Tree

Young Ricky Solomon finds himself lonely and confused in a dark forest of his life until he partners with his philosophical lumberman grandfather and learns to look on The Other Side of the Tree.

This warm memoir, set on a rural Michigan farm in the mid-1950's, delivers timeless lessons from a simpler day. A poor illegitimate child pursues personal dreams within the reality of harsh poverty; seeks simple truth within his increasingly complex world; silently grapples with personal guilt and loss; and wrestles with mental and spiritual growth as he searches for his place in his family and the universe. A barn burning, a family death, and a spiritual awakening are major events which bring the grandson and his seasoned leathery patriarch on a course toward lifetime resolutions for both. The author, born in Michigan but now a resident of Georgia, has waited over fifty years to write this story.

Rich Davidson, eldest of eight poor children, feels blessed to have been born into a strong family- and values-oriented society in mid-Michigan. A high school diploma from Webberville High School was followed by a B.S. in Ed degree from Central Michigan University. Rich taught secondary school for several years before pursuing a data processing career which involved a divinely-inspired move from Michigan State University to Delta Air Lines in Atlanta. That career ended due to the 9/11 attacks, but God provided new opportunities, including time to write this book, a story which Rich had been formulating for over 50 years. Rich is semi-retired and enjoys travel, calligraphy, Oldies music, and spending quality time with his wife, Carol; their two married sons and their wives; and four wonderful grandchildren.