On Mother's Day, my family took me out to dinner. As we walked to the restaurant, we were approached by a nervous young woman carrying a beautiful baby boy. She told us she had been staying in a hotel and was on a list to enter the homeless shelter. Due to a scheduling problem, though, the room at the shelter was still occupied. She needed $18 more to pay for another night in the hotel and wondered if we could spare a few bucks.

It was obvious that she was humiliated by asking for help. We slipped her some cash and went about our way. She's been on my mind ever since — perhaps more so since we learned that Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will resign to become U.S. ambassador to China.

Huntsman as governor has meant that homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson has had the ear of the state's chief executive. It's impossible to calculate what that meant to the poor, the homeless and people who are hungry and/or lack access to health care.

Huntsman has remarked since his appointment that it is nearly impossible to say "No" to President Barack Obama. It is equally difficult, I submit, to say "No" to Pamela Atkinson.

Part of it is that Atkinson never asks for something for herself. And she has a remarkable knack for explaining complicated issues on a human level. She is just as adept at giving one the view of issues from the 30,000-foot perspective.

She has cultivated a deep friendship with Huntsman, his parents and other members of the family. When Huntsman took office, she assisted with his transition. She's been a trusted advisor ever since.

In a joint press conference with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert Monday afternoon, Gov. Huntsman remarked that the themes of the upcoming transition are "consistency and continuity."

Meanwhile, Herbert remarked that growing Utah's economy remains the executive branch's top priority, noting that a healthy economy would support the state's health and human services needs, among other things.

He's right about that. A strong economy will create jobs and opportunity for all Utahns. It must be Job 1.

But there must also be a recognition that not everyone is aboard that train. The economy has strained household and personal relationships. Many people who were struggling before the economy tanked are under greater stress now and may need even more help.

I know Herbert is cognizant of these needs. He served 16 years as a county commissioner. Counties are direct providers of a number of human-service programs.

And knowing Atkinson, who is a careful student of politics, too, she's been bringing Herbert along on human-services issues as long as he's been lieutenant governor, anticipating the day that Huntsman might move on to bigger things.