Through the years, I’ve watched as friends stepped back and allowed their children to grow into adults. There has been very little meddling and, without exception, the children have turned into fine people.

What I didn’t know when I was reaching that point was how brave my mama was to turn me loose and let me fly off, into the world. Never once did she try to stop me. When I was a sports writer, she read every word I wrote. When I became a publicist with a NASCAR team, she could tell anyone on Sunday morning who had won the pole. If I was in it, she was in it.

When USA Today in Washington summoned me to their blossoming sports department, I closed the door on my little duplex apartment and drove to my parents’ house to tell them in person.

“I’m going to Washington,” I announced. “To wor

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