DEAR ABBY: A co-worker sent me an invitation to a party celebrating her son's graduation from college. The envelope was addressed with a computer mailing label.
The party fell on a day I work, so I didn't even consider attending. I have never met the young man and have no social relationship with his mother. My initial reaction was to ignore the whole thing, but my wife thought I should send a gift of money as a matter of courtesy -- which I did.
Here's the clincher: I received a thank-you note written in my co-worker's handwriting! What do you make of this, Abby? -- PERPLEXED IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR PERPLEXED: It's sad, really, because it shows the extent to which your co-worker has failed as a parent. The man's mother appears to be in complete control of her son's social life -- from who will attend his graduation party to acknowledging his gifts. Expressing gratitude for a gift is something her son should have learned by the age of 10.