Defining family

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jennifer Ford
  • 30th Range Management Squadron commander
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  "It is my great honor to introduce the Air Force's newest major, Major Jennifer Ford." July 1, 2007 

"Team Vandenberg welcomes its newest squadron commander, Major Jennifer Ford." May 21, 2009 

"Andrew and Jennifer Ford announce the birth of their daughter, Margaret Elizabeth.' June 22, 2009 

How do you define "Family"? Webster's dictionary defines family as "a group with common ancestry; household; a group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals and, frequently, live together." 

I have many families, and with each of my families come different obligations and responsibilities. Each one takes its turn being my number one priority, and balancing them all is my constant challenge. 

In this Year of Leadership, the August focus on family is a time for each of us to examine our families - our "teams" if you will, and be certain we are dedicating ourselves to the team that needs us most right now. How we handle the constant re-prioritization of our families is something we all will struggle with at one time or another in our careers, and we won't always get it right, but as good team players we will keep trying, keep dedicating ourselves and keep supporting each other, because that is what a family does. We take care of each other. We look out for each other. We love what we do and who we are doing it for: our families. 

There will be difficult days - "my country calls - in the desert," "we're moving and it is the middle of the school year," "the baby hasn't slept for two days and neither have I"- but the family we have all signed up to support, our Air Force family, is dedicated to taking care of each of us through all the difficult days. We have to keep that in focus as we make our way through the difficult days, as our different families get re-prioritized, be it only momentarily. It will always be a constant battle, but the difficult days will pass. The Air Force warfighter will triumph. The new assignment that cannot wait until the kids are out of school will be the next great job. The baby will eventually sleep. And through it all, Team AF, Team "new base" and Team Ford will all prevail, because, as a family, we support each other through it all. 

So my message to you is look around and ask yourself, "What can I do better to support my families today? Is there something I could do to improve my work environment?" On your drive home tonight ask yourself, "What have I done lately for my spouse and kids to make their life easier?" And then act on it. Even one little thing can make a difference - knock out that tasker ahead of schedule, ask a co-worker if you can help out with a job or ask a teammate how their weekend was. We all like it when someone shows interest in who we are. Take someone's turn at doing the dishes, help out with homework, offer a moment of peace to your spouse in the middle of a chaotic evening. Even simple things can be the exact big thing that makes someone's day and makes the team succeed. 

Because in the end we are all part of many families "who share common attitudes, interests, or goals and, frequently, live together."

 

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