There’s an old song from an R&B group named “Boyz II Men” called “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye”. I don’t know the lyrics but there is something in there about it being hard to say goodbye and something about “I’ll take with me the memories” and blah blah blah… I guess you should look it up on YouTube because I’m many things but an authority on mid-90s R&B is not one of them. 🙂
Where were we?
This Wednesday, May 31, is my last day at Project 887. It really is hard to say goodbye and I really will take some amazing memories with me. Like that time…
…that we went to the Q&A at Summer Splash last year with Tedashii, Peabod, and Sarah Reeves. Remember that? They were all so fun and funny! (Seriously, I’ve hosted so many events where artists are hard to work with and these were the absolute opposite.) They offered insightful answers to your questions and were transparent about their journeys through therapy. They did it all with such grace and humor. Having those artists in the room with so many members of our audience was like a big Thanksgiving with no mashed potatoes (Jeff wouldn’t let us).
…I came to Project for the very first time. I had been working remotely for a while and it was the first time I met so many of the Project team face-to-face. I was struck by their kindness, their dedication, and their transparency. Who cares about transparency? Transparency speaks to integrity and honesty and the people at Project 887 have both. It’s not a funny story but it’s something I’ll always remember. Those moments are measuring sticks in my head that other people will stand next to.
…okay, this isn’t one specific time but it does involve YOU, the Project listener. The stories of changed lives are the most important thing about Project. More than anything, I want to introduce people to Jesus so that He can do for them what He has done for me. Time and time again through emails, text messages, and meeting you at concerts and events I heard tales of people coming off the street, getting clean from drugs or alcohol, marriages put back together, and lives turned around, all because of Jesus and His people. This is what it’s all about. Jesus is real and He continues to change lives. I got to be a part of that at Project 887.
Thanks so much for letting me be a part of your mornings. Thanks for all the texts and phone calls. Thanks for listening to me rant about video games, movies, and whatever absurdist nonsense we found together in the news. The best compliment anyone ever gives me is “We listen to you on the radio” and so many of you said that to me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Project is a rare gem. You may not think it is because you’ve grown used to it but here’s the truth: there are just a handful of radio stations in the entire world that broadcast this music all day every day. That is not an exaggeration. I can only think of FOUR (including Project). Treat it like the gem it is. Protect it. Support it. Show it off.
Thanks again to the Project Bosses for letting me be a part of the team and to you for making the team possible.
-Obadiah
P.S. – Two honorable mentions in the memory category that I forgot: Cherry Red Bull Spritzers from Lucky Perk. I had never had one before this last fundraiser and while we were there I may have had 100. SO. GOOD. Also, Jeremy’s Downtown Arcade in Nampa. That place is AWESOME. All you can play games for hours on end? Give me a couple of Red Bull Spritzers and you won’t see me for days. 🙂