The Power of Friendship: Lessons Learned from Lifetime Friends with Marilyn Emery and Carol Jennings

Discover a memoir celebrating friendship written by two lifelong friends from Grand Rapids.

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About the Book:

A beautiful memoir written by two local authors. A rich story written with warmth and compassion, by two positive-focused octogenarians who reminisce over the experiences and wisdom gained from enjoying a 75+-plus-year history of friendship. Connected since childhood and now finding themselves in life’s final chapter, they discuss changing times, tragedy, secrets and—above all—hope, over a shared love of enjoying ice cream from the serenity of park benches in Grand Rapids and Florida, where they wrote the book. The story of an unyielding bond through decades showcases the friendship of 10 grade-school friends who call themselves the Draco Girls, after the constellation; those alive still meet today. The Power of Friendship inspires readers with their collective wisdom on the value of keeping God, family and community at the center of a life well lived. The book is endorsed by Galynn Brady, mother of Tom Brady.

About the Authors:

Marilyn Emery is a joyful octogenarian, whose main goal in life is to spread God's love. Education is of utmost importance to her. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Speech/Communications and English, and her three master's degrees in educational administration, Gifted and Talented Education, and K-12 Reading Language Arts. She and her husband, Art, split their time between Michigan and Florida, where both are active in church activities. With five children, fifteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, Marilyn feels truly blessed.

Carol A. Jennings was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan as an only child. She met Marilyn when she was five years old, and both attended K-12 in the community. Carol worked at a bank where she met her husband, Chuck, and then completed her degree, majoring in business and minoring in literature, while raising three sons. Carol and Chuck spend most of their time at their condo in Florida and enjoy summers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she spends time with her family, including eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.