This week of Thanksgiving, take a moment to think about who makes it happen for you.

The world is full of Temistocle Solears, Antonio Ghislanzonis, Henri Meilhacs, Jules Barbiers, Michael Carres, Giuseppe Giacosas, Luigi Illicas, Renato Semonis, Nicola Hayms, and Lorenzo da Pontes, people we would all be grateful for if only we knew their names.

Who on earth are these people? you ask.

They were crucial partners in some of the most lasting super-projects on earth: operas.

Take Lorenzo da Ponte, for instance. It’s arguable, but many would say the three greatest operas ever written were Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro,” “Don Giovanni,” and “Cosi fan tutte”; the only point of contention being in what order, but always the Top Three.

Personally I prefer Verdi, but there’s no question these are supreme works of art. Consider for a moment, if you will, that the librettist for all three of these operas was Lorenzo da Ponte. Mozart wrote the music, and Da Ponte wrote the words, and usually, in the creation of an opera, the words are written first.

Among the operas Mozart wrote, these three stand out, the three that he co-authored with da Ponte, a name most of us have never even heard. Likewise, the gentlemen named above were librettists for Verdi, Bizet, Mozart, Strauss, Gounod, Handel, Donizetti and Puccini. Even if you’re not an opera fan, I bet you’ve heard their names, and also the names of their operas: Aida, Carmen, Madama Butterfly, Faust and Don Giovanni, for instance. Wagner was the only opera composer who created both the music and the lyrics. All the others were collaborations for which librettists were crucial.

Whatever your job, it’s likely there’s at least one person who does work for you, who you count on, who is always there for you, or who makes you look good. How long has it been since you acknowledged them?

One of the most unsung heroes in any organization is the receptionist. Everyone takes them for granted. I’ve seen people walk past a receptionist day-after-day without even saying “good morning”, or using their name. It’s a job the value of which is only noted in its absence. Let the receptionist call in sick one day, and everyone’s day is upset as jobs are shuffled, shifts are taken, or a temp is called in who doesn’t know anyone’s name, extension or position. I’ve also heard people tell me they bought only from a particular company because they just wanted to hear the receptionist’s voice. Hmmm.

I’m reminded of a sermon I heard one year. The minister happened to be one of the most prominent in the town I lived in. Yes, you would say he was a “very important person,” and one who received a lot of recognition. I don’t even know what the topic of the sermon was, I just tuned in when I heard something I needed to hear, as we often do. (Our brains are marvelous at that!)

“The mayor’s important,” he was saying, “ and so is the lawyer, but what would catch your attention faster – if the mayor took a week off, or if your garbage collector did?” We all groaned and started squirming in our seats. Point taken.

Take some time today to think about the person who types your letters, unfreezes your computer, answers your phone, composes your pleadings, bills your patients, hassles with the insurance company, updates your website, does your laundry, or simply makes you smile – and thank them.

It’s a simple thing.

You wonder why it isn’t done more often.

Excuse me now, I must go thank the little sweetheart who manages my apartment complex. At least I think that’s her title. All I know is her name is Janie and I just moved in, and she has held my packages, told me how to get to the post office, forgiven me for being late with the rent the first time (I thought I’d get a notice), let the computer guys to set it up before I got here, handed me a freshly-baked cookie when I passed through, made a few copies for me free … the list goes on and on. I’m going to let her know how much I appreciate what she does?

Now, who’s on your list? They’re waiting to hear from you.