For 13 years during this time of year a Barry family tradition took place.

No matter how many years Scott had been at a school, it was always time to go to open house or orientation. It was the time I, and later my wife and I, got to meet his teachers and let them know we were engaged parents.

Scott had some pretty good years and along the way he hit a bumpy patch and needed a little guidance, but he stayed the course and finished the race. He graduated in the spring and now that time honored tradition is no more.

He earned a presidential scholarship to Millsaps College in Jackson and will be moving into Ezell Hall in two weeks.

Sure there are open houses and orientation to attend in college, but it’s different now. He’s the one steering the boat of his destiny. He gets to make the decisions, and parent orientation in college is very different.

I imagine Catherine and I will be meeting more people on the administrative and financial side of things than the educational side. Scott’s instructors and professors will base their impressions about him solely on his actions and abilities.

Just like the baby bird that ventures to the side of the nest and falls over the edge, it’s up to him to stretch his wings and fly. We’ve given him all the tools to succeed on his own. I’ll admit it’s difficult to stand back and watch him take that plummet, but he’s got to learn to fly on his own.

On top of preparing to leave for college, he celebrated his 18th birthday this week. It seems like moments ago I was giving him his first haircut, a practice I’ve been banned from for many years now.

He may be on his own in college, but he won’t be far. We’ll have a new tradition of Tuesday night dinners around Jackson, and learning to set aside the black and gold of USM for purple and white of Millsaps.

Life’s full of changes, and just like when he was learning to walk, we’ll take them one step at a time.