Big Yellow Taxi—an ear worm with meaning
I’ve never been annoyed by “ear worms” (having a song and its lyrics stuck in my head).
I sorta love ‘em.
Recently I’ve been experiencing a repetitive ear worm: “Don’t it always seem to go, That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone…”
It happened again this morning.
Joni Mitchell’s 1970 “Big yellow taxi” is more than a song critiquing the destruction of nature and the development of urban sprawl.
For me the song has always been about not taking things for granted until it’s too late and we’ve lost them.
I like to think I always took that sentiment to heart.
Since being ambushed by Transverse myelitis on September 17, 2023 the meaning (and my perspective) changed a bit because of the things I lost and won’t get back.
I have been spewing and writing “enjoy every sandwich” since I was fortunate enough on October 30, 2002 to catch Warren Zevon as the only guest on David Letterman. Ten months later Warren was dead at only 56.
That night in 2002 the world learned that he was dying of mesothelioma. When Dave asked him what the diagnosis had taught him, Warren replied: “How much you’re supposed to enjoy every sandwich.” Other than BLTs, when we’re picking fresh tomatoes from our garden boxes, I don’t eat many sandwiches. But that never kept me for doing my best to savor every bite I take…and to be grateful for each day as it comes to a close.
If I had a Benjamin for every time I have written “Be. Just Be.” I’d be a wealthy man.
I started writing that when I was in high school. (The phrase seems to have taken a hiatus for awhile when I was too busy working-hard/playing-hard??)
Over the years I’ve had people ask me what those 3 words mean.
My answer was always a question: “What do YOU think it means?”
Sometimes they got it right…and right away. Sometimes I had to help them.
“Be your true self. Live in the moment. Be authentic.”
For the past 22 years, I would add: “And enjoy every sandwich.”
While I was singing along with today’s ear worm I checked my birthday list. One thing that has given me great joy& laughter the past 20 years is sending JibJab cards.
No birthdays on the list today, but there are 3 tomorrow.
Or should I say there WERE 3. Two guys I went to school with and a fellow who I hired in Portland in 1996 (and who told me about Google in 1998) were born on December 6.
They’re all dead now.
They’ll never experience another ear worm.
They’ll never enjoy another sandwich.
They’ll only live in memories.
Their “being” is past tense.
TM took away most of my mobility…and more.
But I can still have Jimmy V moments…and more.
I can still hug my family and friends…I can call them on the phone…I can send texts and letters.
So can you.
Don’t wait for “someday.”
Someday never comes.