The White Picket Fence

About the Book

“Everything happens for a reason” is a theory many people believe in as does Scott, a thirty three year old former United States Marine who has experienced much of life’s ruthless hardships. Ever since he was six years old, the ambitious individual knew deep in his heart he was put on this earth destined to inspire and help people. Almost dying at birth, living foster home to foster home, and enduring an abusive upbringing during his parents’ time of financial crisis, Scott naively thought his agonizing troubles were over with when he gratefully met his first love in his junior year of high school. The seventeen year old deeply in love was certain he would spend the rest of his life with the beautiful girl who gave to him the fulfillment he long desired. Challenged by an unforeseen devastating break up causing Scott a life full of turmoil and sorrow, and battling to recover from a near death experience, the afflicted man struggles to find himself and continue to fight through the harsh journey; especially once he discovers of disturbing news which prevents uncovering the closure he so needs. Life goes on as the man endeavors to regain his dying pursuit of happiness. That is until one night; a fateful meeting filled of lust and temptation fifteen years later, brings back to life his aspirations and embraces the suffering man from his enduring misery. Through a twist of fate manifested from a mysterious encounter of a scandalous lady, Scott vigilantly contemplates of risking the perilous possibility of falling for a woman once again. When a severely upsetting secret is revealed to the war veteran, the man comes across an unexpected path he never saw coming brought upon by the destined passionate night of love and salvation. A story based on true events of a faithful determined young man.

About the Author

Scott Anthony Michael Bickel is a United States Marine, self taught pianist, self taught magician, and the published author of The White Picket Fence. He has accomplished all of the above by the age of nineteen. Scott was born and brought into this world on July 6th, 1990. His biological parents suffered from drugs and alcohol addiction, as well as countless additional problems which forced his older two sisters Jennifer and Stephanie, and brother John to take care of him when he was an infant. Scott had a sister one year younger than him, but she died just a few days after birth due to her illness from the harmful effects brought upon from the mother’s mistreated body.. Scott never met his biological father. At just a little over two years of age, he was taken away and placed in a foster home with his sister Stephanie. He was slightly behind the rest of the toddlers his age because of the neglect and disregard from his birth parents. Six months later, he was transferred individually to a more experienced foster home where he learned the basic essentials of life; how to walk, talk, and interact. The people taking care of him at the time were responsible for much of the little boy’s early success and bringing him up to par with others children his age. Finally, on July 11th, 1995, Scott was adopted by Norman and Patricia Bickel where he went from Scott Anthony Lanese, to eventually becoming Scott Anthony Michael Bickel. Scott and his three older siblings were all split up and adopted to different families, but have always remained in contact with one another. The adopted child matured through harsh circumstances, but the young boy taught himself how to defeat every obstacle that stood in his way and prospered greatly in the North Royalton community, a peaceful suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. The young boy knew ever since he was six years old that he wanted to make a difference and inspire people in his lifetime. Scott lives life to the fullest and is unstoppable when he puts his mind to something. Through many of his tragic experiences during his upbringing, the faithful individual developed a strong relationship and trust in God. He currently attends and served as an altar boy for nine years at St. Joseph’s Byzantine Catholic Church in the northeastern part of Ohio.. At fifteen years old, Scott met his biological mother on July 3rd, 2005 with his oldest sister Jennifer with permission from his adoptive parents. He was able to find a little bit of closure as his encounter freed him of some lasting confusion. Scott committed to a deep devotion and love to sports and fitness in his early years as well. He played basketball, baseball, soccer, track, and truthfully dedicated his life to the game of football before a crucial upset with his high school coach altered his life plans. After football ended for him in high school, Scott found many hidden passions within himself as he self taught himself to play piano, compose music, develop talents in drawing, and performing magic for the public. Scott always enjoyed making people laugh and smile ever since he was a little child. He also prides himself in all the accomplishments he thrived to succeed in, determined to not allow life’s hardships to bring him down during his difficult childhood. Life seemed to get harder and harder his junior year after no longer taking part in football, but Scott fatefully met a beautiful girl who helped to enlighten his life and influenced him in an optimistic way. Even though she left him in a tragic breakup, Scott took his powerful passion and positive energy to a whole new level preparing for the United States Marine Corps. He graduated from North Royalton High School June 7th, 2009, and was gone the very next day. Scott graduated in the top percentage of his class in the world’s most brutal boot camp with over 500 male U.S. Marines in Delta Company at Parris Island, South Carolina. Through a series of unexpected events, Scott Anthony Michael Bickel decided on the day of October 19th, 2009, that is was time for him to embark on his lifelong dream of writing his book The White Picket Fence. Scott is very grateful for all the people who have helped him in life including his parents, siblings, the rest of his family members, priest, staff of North Royalton School District and Joe Quayle, good doctor and friend, and his best friends Nick Martin, Sean Kahl, Jimmy Day, and Marshall Withrow.