All Around Pennsauken

By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

I’ve got some pretty eclectic tastes in music. Whether it’s classical, jazz, or a song from 1982 that just won’t die, there’s usually something I can pull up on my iPod that can match my mood.

During the weekend prior to writing my annual column, a quote popped into my head from one of my favorite artists, Warren Zevon, the musician best known for his hits “Werewolves of London,” “Lawyers, Guns, and Money,” and “Excitable Boy,” among others. Prior to his passing from cancer in 2003, Warren, who was a frequent guest on the “Late Show with David Letterman,” made his final appearance on the TV program; he was the only guest that night. When discussing his terminal diagnosis, he commented to Letterman that, “You’re reminded to enjoy every sandwich.” It was so simply poignant that “Enjoy Every Sandwich” became the name of a tribute album to him after his death.

When you boil it down, making and eating a sandwich can be one of the more mundane aspects of our lives. Oftentimes, we quickly assemble a concoction of lunch meat with a quick spread of mayo or a squirt of mustard. You can also go with the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly, perfect for consumption in haste. You often don’t really think about the process. It’s time for lunch and you’re hungry; you make a sandwich and eat it. In a matter of minutes, you’re done eating and back to the tasks of the day: finishing work assignments, picking up the kids after school, or grabbing something at the store. In comparison to other things that happen during the day, it’s almost a throwaway moment.

But what if it wasn’t?

Don’t get me wrong, people enjoy eating sandwiches. But what if it’s something, if you’ll pardon the pun, which you should truly relish?

We always remember the more significant moments of our lives. They stick with you. And I’m not suggesting that you ponder that time you had pastrami on rye back on February 12, 2004. But what would happen if we took a moment to appreciate where we were and what we were doing? You could be sitting at home, which means you have a roof over your head. Your cold cuts are… well cold; the fridge works and you paid the electricity bill. You actually have something to eat, when so many still go hungry in our community. The little things aren’t so little after all. When you put them together, it puts the big picture in true perspective.

So enjoy every sandwich; revel in the quiet you can get from a long car drive; appreciate folding laundry still warm from the dryer. Savor the small, as it pertains to the bigger things life has in store. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what you find and experience. Plus, you’ll have already had lunch. That’s a win right there.

On behalf of the entire staff of All Around Pennsauken: our publisher, designer, contributors, and advertising staff, here’s to a great start to 2019. We’re privileged to be able to bring you informative and entertaining local news each and every month; and we look forward to another year of sharing what makes our community great.