The View From Mrs. Sundberg's Window

It's good to have each other

May 14, 2012

Listened to the show Saturday and it was not bad. I was all geared up for a good time Sunday, Mother's Day, and a good time it was. Included a visit to Urgent Care, as my grandmother, who is up there in years, was having trouble with her knee, and so much for the grand buffet were to eat for brunch at a lovely Wisconsin supper club.

Instead, the kids and I headed out for sandwiches to go while my mother, bless her, waited in X-ray and simple patience took the reins. We were back in no time and talked a while, and it didn't matter much where we were but that we were together. Grandma decided on the way back to her assisted living center that she wanted a hotdog with mustard on Mother's Day, and that's what we got her, along with some fries and a glass of Bailey's Irish Crème once we got to her room.

The kids, bless them, didn't complain once, and we made it home, and Mr. Sundberg took us all out to a local place with good ribs and great burgers and we stuffed ourselves with pork and beans and the kids told me what makes me a good mother and I got where I couldn't say a word in reply.

It's good to have each other, I thought to myself, and thought about that sweet girl in that small Minnesota town who -- because she'd been bullied by some peers at school -- felt lonely and sad enough to take her own life. I wish I might have a moment to hug her parents, and not say much of anything, but I imagine they're grieving deeply the loss of that dear girl. I'd like to find the kids responsible and give them an earful for starters, but that wouldn't do much but cause more pain.

I'd like to think that we people on the Earth, way deep down, are grateful for each other, and that our lives have complicated our ways of showing it. Perhaps a reminder, then. It's good to have each other, different as we are. You bullies out there, figure it out. There are better ways to express all your fear and insecurity. I mean, really. It's mostly common sense. And a little compassion. Because life isn't much about being alone; it's about the gathering, and everyone's invited.

Being a salt person, and lover of mustards and vinegars and rubs, I find this recipe about as perfect as can be for an afternoon luncheon on the deck with friends. Give it a go, and serve a salad on the side, and watermelon, perhaps. Or red grapes.

Mini Reuben Sandwiches

1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
4 T relish
1 loaf mini rye bread, sliced
1 package sauerkraut
1 package pastrami
Baby Swiss cheese, sliced
Mustard for dipping

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare sauerkraut as directed. Remove from bag and squeeze out any liquid. Mix together relish, mayo and ketchup to make Thousand Island dressing, and spread on bread. Assemble sandwiches on a baking sheet lined with tin foil. Put pastrami on the dressing-coated rye bread and top with sauerkraut and a slice of baby Swiss. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with extra Thousand Island dressing, and mustard on the side.

Enjoy!