“A dark night, lightened up by thousands of glowing fireflies. It is magical.”
– Ama H. Vanniarchchy
To me, lightning bugs mean summer. Growing up in the Seattle area, I didn’t see fireflies as a child, but somehow the luminescent beetles (lightning bugs are beetles not flies) epitomize summer. Our kids first saw lantern flies when we moved to Bulgaria. It was August when we arrived, and it was a special surprise to see the little lights floating across our yard. It was one of those warm nights, late and dark, the doors of the house open, the kids barefoot and running around the yard trying to catch a glow bug in a jar. Summer.
There are many things that feel like summer. Certain smells that I can’t quite place. Trying to walk in a broken flip flop. Hopping ridiculously on burning pavement with bare feet. Campfires and s’mores.
I asked some AAS students what makes it feel like summer to them; here are some of their responses:
- The heat
- Not knowing what day of the week it is
- Ice cream
- Sand on my feet
- The smell of a seaside town
- Water balloons
- Energizing and happy summer music
The last day of school has a summer feel to it as well. Today we ended the day with the traditional whole-school assembly. During the day, we signed yearbooks, talked about summer plans, and said some goodbyes.
Each June we say goodbye to many students and their families as they leave AAS for new adventures. Though it is easy to keep in touch with friends regardless of where on Earth they are, it is always hard to say goodbye. As a father, again this year, I see my own kids saying goodbye to wonderful friends. As the Director, I know that coming and going is a natural part of an international school, and I am grateful to everyone who is a part of the AAS community (once a part of the community, always a part). To our families who are leaving AAS: thank you for making the community stronger, our “…home away from home.”
Fortunately, in August we will again welcome many students and their families who are new to AAS, and with them, we will form new friendships..
Whether it is fireflies, ice cream, happy music, sand between your toes, or what have you, I hope you feel a lot of summer with friends and family in the coming weeks.
“Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.”
– Kellie Elmore