I know, right? What am I doing posting on a Saturday night — during a holiday weekend no less? Well, the truth is, last night I woke up in a hot sweat thinking that there might be someone out there who has not read Congratulations, By The Way, the book version of George Saunders’ now-famous convocation speech given last June at Syracuse University. And if that is indeed the case, I felt the need to remedy the situation immediately. I know we here at DALS tend to get hyperbolic when the subject is Saunders (author of the award-winning short-story collection Tenth of December and one of the original DALS guest-posters), but diehard readers know why. His writing is big-hearted and generous; his capacity for empathy, seemingly endless. What he regrets most in life, Saunders tells graduating seniors, are failures of kindness.
I believe that by handing Congratulations to a graduate or a friend, you are handing them not just a book, but a message, a philosophy, a worldview.
Here’s one of my favorite moments in the speech:
And so, a prediction, and my heartfelt wish for you: as you get older, your self will diminish and you will grow in love. You will gradually be replaced by love. If you have kids, that will be a huge moment in your process of self-diminishment. You really won’t care what happens to you, as long as they benefit. That’s one reason your parents are so proud and happy today. One of their fondest dreams has come true: you have accomplished something difficult and tangible that has enlarged you as a person and will make your life better, from here on in, forever.
Hi Jenny! Thank you for this post!! Our oldest niece is graduating from high school in a couple weeks and I now know the perfect gift for her! I’d been agonizing over it 🙂 I fell in love with commencement speeches turned books back with Anna Quinlan, but I somehow missed hearing about this one! Thank you for the great giveaway opportunity xoxo
I haven’t read the book, but love your quotes from it! Will need to check it out. Both my darling daughters are graduating this month, one from high school and one from college, and of course we know soooo many others celebrating graduations now.
What a great gift idea ! I love the quotes you shared, especially the message to grads about why their parents are so happy with their children achieving this milestone. Thanks !
Amazing Book! Thank you for this lovely gift idea.
<3
I want to read this book for myself first of all. It is so true once you have kids you want that all for them and you become secondary. My oldest is finishing 5th grade and moving on. She already talks of hs and college. I would love to read this with her. I think reading books with my kids is one of the most powerful and meaningful things we do together. Thanks for your blog! Oh and my kids check out your daughter’s blog all the time!
We’ve attended two graduations and have two more to go in the upcoming weeks. Would love to gift this book to someone I love. Thanks!
Would love to read this and pass along to a graduate!
Sounds like a great read 🙂
I would love a copy of the book and I have the perfect friend to share the extra copy with! Thank you.
Oh please oh please, I would LOVE to have this and give one away to a dear graduating friend!
This looks like a great book! Would love to read and share.
Looks like an awesome book! Would love to read and share it as well!
After helping my husband work on his speech for the graduation ceremony at his high school alma matter, I would love to read this speech! We have some special friends graduating this year so it would be lovely to share this book with them. Thanks!
this book sounds like something i’d like my family to read this summer. we have a son who has just finished his first year of college, and i don’t want to wait until he graduates again to have the opportunity to engage him about Sanders’ worldview/philosophy.
thanks for the chance to win. whenever you wake up in a sweat in the middle of the night, there’s a purpose for it. 🙂
What a generous giveaway and I love that you’re giving two to each person so they can choose a deserving person to give it to. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
What a lovely thing to do! I admire both of you so much.
Right in under the wire, I hope. Would love a copy for my graduating nephew!!
graduation speeches! one of my new favorite genres. Would love a copy of this one.
I’m graduating college in just a few short weeks and this would make the most amazing gift for my two closest friends!
It is a beautiful speech. Happy Memorial Day!
What a great thought – and i just read this – it’s 5:09 did i miss the cutoff?
I’ll search this book out – my son is graduating high school in june – just the thing to read. Thanks.
I would love two copies!!!
My daughter graduated this year, and I am still looking for good words of wisdom for her. I would love this book!
Thanks for the recco! Great book to give to some recent grads.
Love this book!