[mashshare]

This Thanksgiving, I’m overwhelmed by the notion that our Heavenly Father puts people in our lives for a reason. Sometimes they walk alongside for a long portion of our journey. Sometimes they join us for a small stretch, around a bend or two, and then they drift away. But even if our paths diverge, the examples and lessons never do.

This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the people who this fall have made being away from home not only tolerable, but a treat more tasty than any pumpkin pie. Who are the people in your life who’ve molded you in ways big and small?

I’m thankful for people like Bob and Michelle Denson of Layton, Utah, and their crazy, lovable kids. This family first embraced my books six years ago and, over time, they’ve embraced me, too. I’ve grown to love them; they’re the caliber of people I aspire to be.

Down the highway in St. George, I’m grateful for the family of Dan and Tricia Utley. After seeing me at an afternoon book signing, they learned that I was alone for the evening with no public events and no personal plans. They invited me to dinner and over delicious steaks, Dan noticed I had a chipped tooth from an accident at home weeks earlier. He insisted on taking me to his dental clinic at 9 p.m. and fixing the tooth. I’ll never forget the hilarious sight of his curious 11- and 8-year-old daughters hovering and giggling over me while their dad worked his magic.

All the way across America in beautiful Vermont, I am appreciative of an angel named Cynthia Blades. Cynthia moved heaven, earth and flight schedules to bring me to Burlington for the first time. She had me speak at an impressive Catholic school and at a large church fireside. I struggle to describe how talented and dedicated she is. Let’s just say if the Northeast ever again gets the Olympic Winter Games, Cynthia won’t even need to interview to be CEO; the job is hers.

I’m also grateful for Mark and Kami Starnes in Indianapolis. With the help of their good friend, Jill Schroering, they expertly organized one of my largest events of the fall with less than two weeks’ notice. Perhaps more importantly, they introduced me to the heavenly splendor that is Steak ‘n Shake. Then, because hairstylist-extraordinaire Mark was deeply concerned with the state of my hair and my busy touring schedule, he rushed me in for an emergency cut.

In sunny Nevada, I’m eternally thankful for a marvelous autistic man named Daniel Cowan. Daniel traveled with his father to North Las Vegas to show me the Christmas Jar he’ll soon give away. But it’s not his first; it’s his sixth! As I reflect on our visit in a bustling Barnes and Noble, I realize I’ve never been so proud of someone I’d just met. Honestly, I don’t need to know him well to know that if the world had more Daniel Cowans, we’d be a lot better off.

This Thanksgiving, I’m also grateful for Linda Thrasher of Dayton, Ohio. This sweet woman and voracious reader attends every one of my signings she can reasonably get to in the Midwest. She likes to tell me that my books change her life and make a difference. She couldn’t be more wrong; she’s the one making a difference in the world.

In Arizona, I’m thankful for Mark and Margaret Wright. These wonderful cousins remind me why I’m honored by our last name. They always make sure I have directions, meals and a family when mine is thousands of miles away. They went even further on last week’s trip, organizing a dinner with first cousins Mark Wright, Mindy Smith and Beverly Woods. It was an incredibly rare opportunity for the four of us to proudly represent four different children of our stalwart, faithful grandparents who unite us.

Lastly, on the final day of that trip, I was lonely and wished more than anything I was in Virginia watching two of my children participate in their Primary program. I found the closest chapel to my hotel in Mesa, Ariz., and went to sacrament meeting in the Centennial Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The delightful Nancy Martin sat near me, introduced herself and made small talk. She doesn’t know this, but it wasn’t small talk at all. She was the only person to say hello and I won’t soon forget her kindness.

Once again, this Thanksgiving I’m convinced that Heavenly Father puts people in our lives for a reason and for a season. They teach and impact us. They remind us of things we might already know, but that have been forgotten or painted over with layers of time.

This Thanksgiving, I give thanks for my home, my faith, my work and, yes, for pumpkin pie. But mostly, I give humble thanks for all the people who make all those things matter.

How about you?