This is an actual email that was sent out to the entire staff of a large South African corporation this morning by an employee who is celebrating his last day. I think that it’s very well written and has the kahuna’s of a man who has found another better paying job.

Names have been replaced with xxxx, even though I would LOVE to leave them in.

Dear Co-Workers,

As many of you probably know, today is my last day. But before I leave, I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know what a great and distinct pleasure it has been to type “Today is my last day.”

For nearly as long as I’ve worked here, I’ve hoped that I might one day leave this company. And now that this dream has become a reality, please know that I could not have reached this goal without your unending input of support. Words cannot express my gratitude for the words of gratitude you did express.

I would especially like to thank all of my managers: in an age where miscommunication is all too common, you consistently impressed and inspired me with the sheer magnitude of your information. It takes a strong man to admit his mistake – it takes a stronger man to attribute his mistake to me.

Over the past 18 months, you have taught me more than I could ever ask for and, in most cases, ever did ask for. I have been fortunate enough to work with staff absolutely interchangeable supervisors on a wide variety of seemingly identical projects – an invaluable lesson in overcoming daily tedium in overcoming daily tedium in overcoming daily tedium.

Your demands were high and your patience short, but I take great solace knowing that my work was, as stated on my annual review, “mostly satisfactory.” That is the type of praise that sends a man home happy after even a 9 hour day, smiling his way through half a bottle of mostly satisfactory scotch.

And to most of my peers: even though we barely acknowledged each other within these office walls, I hope that in the future, should we pass on the street, you will regard me the same way as I regard you: sans eye contact.

But to those few souls with whom I’ve actually interacted, here are my personalized notes of farewell:

To xxxx xxxx: I will always remember sharing lunch with you, despite having clearly labeled it with my name.

To xxxx xxxx: I will miss those days that you always translated English phrases incorrectly.

To my first training team: I will not forget the time we spent the fun we had and all the laughter that rang out xxxx xxxx and xxxx xxxx.

To Team xxxx : last but not least thank you for always having been there to stick things out whenever we had problems or a word or two yes that people know very well who they are but I go to mention one person xxxx xxxx I’m going to miss you music everyday “I can be your freak” you guys rock.

So, in parting, if I could pass on any word of advice to the individual who will soon be filling my position, it would be to cherish this experience like a sponge and soak it up like a good man, because a job opportunity like this comes along only once in a lifetime.

Meaning: if I had to work here again in this lifetime, I would make sure that I come back to team xxxx.

Very truly yours,