Here’s to Marilyn French Caldwell on Mother’s Day!

A quick story: For my 16th birthday, Mom took me to see the tennis greats Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova play. When Steffi won, I assumed it was time to go home. Mom had a different idea.

“Quick!” she said. “They’re signing autographs!” At courtside, Mom pushed me through a crowd of determined tennis fans.

“Let her through!” Mom said, pushing harder.

“What’s your name?” asked Steffi Graf, as she signed my poster.

“Marilyn!” Mom shouted from the back of the crowd. Then she laughed.”
–from Fierce Joy, a memoir. Out May 15.

This is the thing about my mother: she is passionate about sports, especially tennis, and she can laugh at herself easily, joyfully. Happiest of Mother’s Days Mom!