Seasons in Friendship

About the Book

Lifelong friendship between four women bring opportunities to meet challenges and deepen their connections as they develop from childhood to late adulthood in the company of each other and their families. Chicago neighborhoods are the background for four households, each providing unique qualities for the daughters who struggle to overcome crisis of family expectations that are painful, competition, incest, parental divorce, rape, abuse, marital problems and separations. The bond that comes from playing together in each other’s homes, shared birthdays, school activities, adventures, facing adversity together, and talks that deepen with maturity create intimacy that lasts. The knowing each other behind the eyes serves as profound connection that supports the unfolding of each life. Jennifer Joy Miller Nash is the sheltered pretty blond child that grows into a frightened young women seeking approval until her abusive marriage threatens her survival. Katherine Ann Peterson Prince appears to be the sturdy creative girl who everyone thinks is the all-around ideal until both her emotional and physical health fail her. Maxine Stern is the abused and neglected talented daughter who defies all convention to create her own life. Robin Dzell Rich is the nurturing girl who provides the attention and psychological glue to keep her band of friends together until her own adult crisis compels her to look to the others for support.

About the Author

Growing up in Chicago, Rae Dezettel attended public schools until entering the College at the University of Chicago following her sophomore year at Bowen High School. Wanting to experience a different environment, she attended Antioch College where there was opportunity to participate in a work-study program. After meeting and marrying Stephen Perls the young couple returned to Chicago where both attended and graduated from the University of Chicago. Two children and two moves later, Rae Perls earned her Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where she is a psychologist in private practice.