"Change" is the key word in today's world - a word that rallied Americans to vote and cheer with new hope as people around the world joined in the celebration.

The question is-- change to what? More wireless communication, more time working than with family, less time to laugh, hug our kids and be thankful? Maybe so--yet people are re-evaluating priorities.

Do you suppose there's a way to change current lifestyles to encompass values from a simpler life of less anger and strife? If so Thanksgiving is that day.

As families gather sharing conversation and giving thanks we often find mutual goals we share. Even world leaders might find common ground for being thankful over steaming coffee, pumpkin pie and "dibs" on enough cold turkey for a midnight sandwich.

Well, that may be a stretch.

Thanksgiving was one happy day for my twin brother, Earl, and me. Dad carved what seemed to be the biggest, juiciest, brown-skinned turkey-bird I'd ever seen.

In a family of five kids and a Great Depression there was no such thing as dibs on certain foods. Thanksgiving was an exception as Dad announced, "The drumsticks belong to the twins." Earl nudged me whispering, "We get the best part." Boy, did we ever feel special.

And so it was through my child eyes, Thanksgiving Day we thanked God for a turkey leg and all of those yummy, fluffy mashed potatoes.

Relatives arrived, aunts, uncles, and cousins, laughing and promising to get together more often. The house was crowded and noisy, yet the sense of caring and affection felt like one giant hug.

During the war years, families invited military men and women to their home for holidays. Mom could always find another plate and more food.

She reminded us and often taught by example quoting Bible Scripture; "Such as you do unto the least of these my children you do it unto me."

Although the Pilgrims and Indians held what is now identified as the first early celebration of Thanksgiving it was not until Nov. 1, 1782 when the Continental Congress Thanksgiving Proclamation was written that the holiday became official, reading in part; "Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of Thursday the twenty-eight day of November as a day of solemn Thanksgiving to God for all his mercies.."

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation read in part, "Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness: Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next .....

And so the slow grinding wheels of government formalized a national holiday started as early as 1621 by leaders of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indian Tribe in what is now the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

History questions if the Pilgrims could have survived beyond that first year had the Indians not taught them how to feed themselves. Working together they shared a bounty of food and friendship giving thanks. Now that's a change we can celebrate and learn from.

Even in a small city like Des Moines, some folks will be alone on Thanksgiving and that can be depressing. One year, city employees, business people and residents organized a big potluck community dinner and invited anyone who would be alone.

Volunteers brought homemade food, turkey, pie, trimmings and the Masonic Temple leaders loaned us their dining hall-- and they came, young families, widows/widowers single folks, couples with no families.

Volunteer musicians played, folks danced and thanks for community spirit reigned. That's a change always welcomed.

Well, I've seen a few Thanksgivings, cooked a few turkeys and lived through wars.

This November I'm thankful for hope of peace in the world and George Washington's Proclamation, "a peaceably formed government for safety and happiness."

Happiness is being thankful, sharing our trials and blessings -- and lots of Thanksgiving leftovers.

It's pretty simple. Let there be thanks.

Today's thought: "He who influences the thoughts of his times influences the times that follow." (Elbert Hubbard)