Why people feel the need to engage in this "LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!" business is beyond me. If you don't want to be here anymore, just quit posting. I left FR for a bit myself once - and I didn't make a post announcing it - I just quit posting.
I agree with you about the nature of these farewell posts. There's just something about getting hundreds of total strangers to beg you not to leave that is appealing to people.
...just another pity party....