It has always been difficult to say farewell to someone. When you have invested good and bad times, healthy relationships, memorable adventures, and shared personal experiences, the thought of your being unable to share the same with the people you have come to be close with makes the process tough. We watched them in the movies, read them in books, and experienced them ourselves: saying farewell leaves a space in our midst.
In most cases, it’s the thought of leaving that takes its toll on our emotions. In some cases, it’s the farewell messages delivered and the thought that goes with them that causes us to respond in a variety of ways. We become inspired, emotional, speechless, and even a bit mad. The power of farewell messages has been known to even lead to the famous stories of our time.
Yet not all farewell messages mean sadness. Tragedies and melancholic goodbyes are popular but the effect of an inspiring farewell is meant to lead us to become better individuals in pursuit of higher causes. This means that when farewell messages are written, it is meant to carefully say words that mean more than what the writer intends to say. We hear people claiming to have written farewell messages because they are afraid of missing something. The better part of this thought is the legacy that someone leaves behind. While the person is gone or away from us, the written words left will continue to resonate in our minds.
If you have plans to prepare farewell messages, ensure that what you want to say is as clear as it is concise. Words should be chosen carefully to fit your message. If the farewell message is meant to be delivered as a speech, make sure that it ends strong and I leaves your personal presence with your listeners. The tendency to overly describe what one intends to say and the gravity of the emotion present in the delivery adds to a difficult separation. Make your farewell message concise that what remains are thoughts to ponder on.
You may also make it a point to always personalize your farewell messages. Addressing a general crowd is different from referencing a specific group. The element of personalization in farewell messages equates to value. When the person or the group being addressed can relate at a personal level with the speaker, they are apt to appreciate the message more. Addressing a general crowd with farewell messages entails a more encompassing perspective where the prevailing sentiment of the listeners is considered.
Since farewell messages are meant to relive good memories and to leave a good impression, ensure that its content speaks of goodwill. After all, leaving good thoughts to your listeners and wishing them the best luck is the highest form of intangible gift you can provide. Goodwill brings about the atmosphere of happiness and adds more sincerity to your message.
The content of farewell messages has been repeatedly aforementioned. Because farewell does not always mean leaving for better grounds, the reason why you write a message should also consider your purpose. Note that farewell is figuratively not synonymous to goodbye but what they do is the same: someone leaves. Farewell messages are drafted in accordance to its suitability to an event. Funerals require a more serious tone than when writing for graduation. Retirement requires a different approach than when resigning. Moving to another place also requires a different content.
In view of the concepts presented above, examples of farewell messages can be difficult to find in books and online. Examples of farewell messages are actually guides to creating one’s own. The short list that follows only provides specifics to the famous farewell message or addresses ever delivered.
Famous Farewell Messages
These examples of farewell messages came to be known not only because of whom said them but the degree of appreciation individuals had on them. Famous farewell messages may have had an impact in history, in literature, or in the collective personal lives of people living in their own conditions. Because these farewell messages are so impactful, they merit as an effective reference for one who wishes to be included in the minds of the majority.
Farewell Address – George Washington
Farewell Address – Dwight Eisenhower
Farewell Address – Robert Lee
Farewell to Baseball Address – Lou Gherig
The Farewell Speech – Queen Elizabeth I
Farewell Speech to Congress – Douglas MacArthur
A Farewell Letter – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Farewell Sermon – Muhammad
Note that the example of farewell messages above are actually speeches delivered to the general public. Whereas messages are meant to be short, the basis of including these as examples considers the messages they want to convey. Additionally, a commonality exists among the examples above: their titles are simple. This means that a farewell message need not be academically inclined but are identified by their purpose and intended recipients.
Funny Farewell Messages
A funny farewell message incorporates humor in its contents thereby deviating from the known serious and even emotional form. This is beneficial in leaving a light feeling among your audiences when you finally part. In view of a funny farewell message, consider writing something that your audience can relate to. If you are saying farewell to colleagues, revive fun moments and integrate them in your message. This process meets the criteria of effective message writing which is personalization for a more sincere and memorable impact. If you observe, funny farewell messages can be arrived at creatively.
Farewell Messages, Jokes, Quotes and Anecdotes
Different jokes, quotes, and anecdotes are often incorporated in a farewell message. This is with the goal of saying farewell in a figurative or a descriptive way. Common applications are anecdotes at work delivered during a retirement speech or a fable addressed by a graduate to his alma mater. Whatever the intent is, blending jokes, quotes, and anecdotes with farewell messages has proven to bring smiles to its recipients.
If you feel like writing farewell messages is difficult, know that it can be spontaneous.
