One day my young son asked me if I could wish for one thing, what would it be? The words "world peace" leaped into my mind on cue but I hesitated, thinking that was the trite answer and I should do better.

The wish for world peace has become a joke, funny enough to be lampooned on a TV commercial asking viewers to choose their favorite sports mascot. Buzz, sports mascot for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, held a globe in one hand while making the "peace" sign with the other, as he silently answers the question: "If you could have one wish..."

The same answer has been a given at those pesky annual beauty pageants: "And Miss Iowa, if you could have just one wish, what would it be?" After looking as thoughtful as possible for a beat, her answer comes gushing out. "World peace!" she says, which is greeted by a round of enthusiastic applause. Miss Iowa advances in the pageant.

This year as our world experiences such turbulent times, the heartfelt wish for world peace shouldn't be the butt of anyone's joke.

Whether blowing candles out on a birthday cake or having Barbara Eden appear in a cloud of smoke to grant me One Wish, wishing for world peace may be the best answer I could give my son.

Peace to you and yours at this time of year and always.

By Teresa K. Flatley