All of us, at one time or another across the years, have been asked and probably asked of ourselves “What would you wish for if granted just one wish?”

At the very least such a question makes one think, and do a bit of introspective consideration of our values, of what we really think is important.

Would our wish be for something universal, such as world peace? Surely it would be hard not to wish for a cure for all forms of cancer.

Then, some would debate whether to wish for something very personal, as opposed to something to benefit others. In some cases, at least, that would make deciding very difficult.

My friend Dave said that his one wish would be for no child to be unloved. Who could not want that to become a reality? Who, indeed.

I’ve long thought that everyone should be able to live in a decent and safe home. Everyone. Yet, that might not be how I would use my one wish. I just don’t know. There should also be no poverty.

Those who devoutly believe in one specific religion might wish that everyone would come to believe just as they do. A one-world religion, and it should be exactly as their beliefs are.

Of course, we each know that we are not going to be granted that “one wish,” that it is only a fantasy that will never happen.

It was either my maternal grandmother, or possibly her mother, who said, “Spit in one hand, and wish in the other, and see which one gets full.” I just remember my mother passing along those sentiments. Then, we’ve all heard the caveat “Be careful what you wish for.”

We all have, or had, our wishes, though, don’t we? Just think how many songs have been written about wishing. “When You Wish Upon a Star” is but one among a multitude. Most surely you can name several songs in the “wish” column. Some of you probably could name a bunch, once you get your memory up and running.

Enough about all that, though. Some of you also are probably wishing I’d get to the end here. As they say in Jersey, “Enough, already.”

So, I’ll stop here. Just what my one wish might be is going to require a bit more pondering on my part.

You’d think that after 81 years I should have reached a decision.

You know, just in case a magic fairy appears, and grants that one wish.

APROPOS — “Granting our wish one of Fate’s saddest jokes is!”

— James Russell Lowell