Happy Thanksgiving

I hope today is a joyous day for each of you.

Now, holidays are tough when loved ones are no longer there to celebrate or when you can’t travel home to be with family and friends. To you, especially, I am sending joy.

It’s a tradition in my family for everyone at the Thanksgiving table, big or small, to say what they are thankful. Here are mine this year:

1. My husband, Colin Baker. Tomorrow is our second wedding anniversary. He would not want me to share much; he’s not a fan of my TMI. I will say he’s been there during my darkest and most wonderful moments this year.

2. My two children. One heads off to college next year, and the other is in middle school. Watching them grow up is the best part of my life. I am so proud of them and love them more than anything in the world.

3. My parents, John and Debbie Foster. Since the crisis began, I have called my mom almost every day. I could not keep going without her. Dad often jumps in with his commentary, including long lectures on the meatpacking industry.

4. My brothers, Mike and Dallas Foster. One highlight was when they suggested I watch Joe Rogan. Mike sometimes sends me zerohedge posts. Dallas is always quick to offer his views on Washington D.C., but much of it is unprintable.

5. The many students and early-career economists who talk with me. It is uplifting to listen to their dreams, add my two cents of advice, teach them research skills like good writing and comfort those going through tough times.

6. My teachers, Sohrab Behdad at Denison, Barry Bosworth and Gary Burtless at Brookings, Mathew Shapiro and Miles Kimball at Michigan, David Lebow, Wendy Dunn, Jeremy Rudd, David Wilcox, Charlie Gilbert, and Bill Wascher at the Fed, and Steve Braun and Jason Furman who I’ve know since my time at the White House.

7. My heroes Janet Yellen, Lael Brainard, Lisa Cook, Julia Coronado, Stephanie Kelton, and all the amazing women in economics who show me what’s possible, and the people who share their stories from homelessness to unemployment to running a small business to mental health struggles to triumphs and more.

8. My friends, like Debbie Seale, Cathy Helper, Courtney Bedekar, Carrie Plas, and Karen Smith sorority sisters from Denison, Elizabeth Kuonen, Erin Schmidt, and Sujata Kaushal from my hometown, Amy Kandilov, Irene Ng, Oli Coibion, Yuriy Gorodnichenko from Michigan, new friends Deena Ackerman and Chris Adams in Arlington, and many many more.

9. The policymakers and their staff in the United States and other countries who allow me to share my expertise, economists in macro policy, the editors who kindly offer me space to write, and the journalists who teach me so much.

10. Each of you who read my writing. Your interest means the world to me. It is a blessing to share with and listen to you.

Happy Thanksgiving!