Passion is Thy Name!

At first, it perplexed me. Why was I struggling with a simple thing such as writing a farewell note? Then as I gave it more thought, I realised that my main difficulty was not in writing the note but in putting all that I want to say to all those who have touched my heart and life in the past 8.5 years - in one single note.

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Then it struck me.

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I owe it to those pockets of folks who have walked with me through the years - some halfway, some just a short but meaningful distance, some all the way - to write them personal farewell notes. Not some frosty “It was a pleasure working with you, thank you” farewell templates one can easily download from the Net. No, they definitely deserve more than that. . So, I decided to break my farewell notes into 4 separate ones.

1. For the leaders (all the big boys and gals) - To provide inputs and feedback on my experience working in the Dell team. What they did right and could do well to continue doing. What they did wrong and could do well to stop and change. I received an almost immediate response thanking me for the note and wishing me all the best. Very professional and deserving exchanges.
2. For my program/project members - To thank them for the many positive and constructive ‘debates’ we have over our concalls. I’ve learnt so much from them in the past year. I wouldn’t trade them for any other!
3. For my immediate team members (all of whom I’ve only met once ‘cos they’re all based in the US and UK) - To personally thank them for making the past 15 months of my Dell life so challenging and fulfilling. I couldn’t ask for a more dynamic team. They were the ones who made my decision to leave tougher than it already was.
4. For my friends whom I’ve grown to love as family - This was the hardest note to write and took me the longest time to finish it. Not ‘cos I didn’t know what to write but ‘cos I wanted it to be perfect. To capture all that they have came to mean to me.

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It didn’t matter which of the above note I sent out, the responses I received were so overwhelming that they rendered me speechless! I had to take time away from my laptop to take better control of my emotions before I could write them some decent replies.

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Some snippets of the responses :

• “I know I speak for many when I say you will be missed…”
• “Don’t be a stranger in the streets!”
• “I can’t write as well as you, but me gonna miss you LOADS!”
• “I will be forever grateful for the valuable lessons you’ve taught me”
• “I love your style, as in Chinese - we say 大方..”
• “You’re leaving?! I tot you’ve grown roots here lah”
• “Why, why, WHY are you leaving us???!??!?!”
• “Thank you for the beautiful memories”
• “Will miss your bubbly personality”
• “We will miss your radiance!”
• “Kalau kahwin jangan lupa jemput, ya…”
• “Thank God for Facebook!”
• “When’s the farewell party? Don’t forget to invite me!”

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They have indeed provided me with chestsful of treasures to take with me as I journey forward. I will definitely make new friendships and forge new working relationships but I am *so* keeping these ones tightly locked in my heart.

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*To be continued…*