Retirement Sentiments

 

Contrary to popular belief, “Love doesn’t always mean never having to say good-bye.”  There comes a time in everyone’s life when it comes time to enter into retirement.  When a person is leaving an organization, those who have been affected by having worked with them often convey retirement sentiments to wish them much happiness in the future.  It is a way of expressing the admiration you have developed for them over the years and the impression they have made on you.

When giving your retirement sentiments, you can either use thoughts that have already been written or come up with your own.  If you choose to go with a pre-written sentiment, the Internet is clearly the biggest source available to you.

Here are a few retirement sentiments which are great to use (or may inspire you to think of your own):

  • Thank you for the fun and good times you brought to the company.
  • You have motivated me and offered both support and direction during our time together at this company.
  • Your high-spiritedness, passion, and energy will truly be missed.
  • Your honesty, sincerity, and vision have been an inspiration.  I will always remember the way you have encouraged me and challenging me to reach for the stars.
  • I have grown as an employee and as a human being through the time we’ve spent working together.
  • It’s been a long ride!  Thanks for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.  Thanks for seeing something special in me when I was still busy trying to grow up.  You are truly a man (or woman) of character, and I value your friendship.  You’re so much more than a co-worker.  You’re a friend, and we will miss you very much.

Many people (including those retiring) see retirement as the end of an era and think they are embarking on a future of doing nothing and sitting around the house all day or playing golf.  This can be very depressing and discouraging.  When you give your retirement sentiments, recognize it as a time of continued growth and productivity.  An example of a good response that keeps things positive: “May you continue to express your beauty and creativity as you begin this new chapter.”

Along with these spoken retirement sentiments, the retiree deserves a special gift to send them on their way.  A nice sentiment they can enjoy the rest of their lives might be a scrapbook full of pictures from company events with personalized messages from co-workers.  Another good gift would be a nice cruise or vacation.  Of course, the gift need not be as extravagant as a trip.  A simple party or gathering with a collection of items related to their favorite hobby.

In the end, whatever you say or do, it’s the thought that counts, and they will truly appreciate it.