‘Tis the season. Graduation season, that is. How do I know this? The graduation announcements have been trickling into my mailbox the last few weeks, like wayward holiday cards that finally found their way (to my) home.

Graduation missives rarely have the emotional appeal of holiday cards (or of wedding invitations, for that matter). However, this week I did receive an announcement which featured the grad’s senior portrait and, upon opening, multiple photos of her growing up. It was “homemade” (i.e., printed off a home computer), and it was charming!

There’s some controversy surrounding the widespread mailing of graduation announcements. Upon receiving formal notice that a friend or relative (or relative of a friend) is poised to graduate, some people have the Pavlovian response, “I must send cash!” and resent the perceived demand for money. Typically, I don’t have that reaction, and, fortunately, Ms. Manners is on my side; she says acknowledging an announcement with a cash gift is not necessary.

While I don’t experience these announcements as a shake down, I do wonder why people feel the need to send them out. Do they not realize that we’re acutely aware that they (or their son or daughter) is graduating? That we’ve spent the last six months peppering them with different versions of the dreaded question, “What’s next after graduation?”

Yesterday I wondered out loud why people even send graduation notices, and my daughter offered me the best answer I’ve heard to date. “It’s like a birth announcement. People are just proud of the accomplishment and want to share that.”

Now, THAT perspective makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Imagine the parents’ nervous joy back when they sent out the graduate’s birth announcement years ago and compare it to the proud excitement they must now feel as their son or daughter achieves this milestone. I can see how that rush of nostalgic pleasure is worth sharing and celebrating.

Wise Women, what is your reaction/practice when you receive graduation announcements?