Summer vacation 2010 – fireflies

In summer, we visited Taiwan for six weeks and spent some time with my part of family (Alexander’s grandmother, aunties, and relatives).


We wanted to see some fireflies at evening in Taiwan. I thought it would be a great experience for kids. I prepared Alexander with the idea few days before the event, then, that morning, reminded him, again, a few hours before we went. It was a beautiful day and everything went as planned. We drove to the country side of Kaohsiung city (South of Taiwan) and it was getting dark. We walked along a small path in grass field and farm houses. We waited and saw some blink lights flicking in the grass. It was beautiful. Meiying, Victor, and friends started to use their caps to catch fireflies. Alexander started to panic and kept asking to go home. I tried to keep him have fun and showed him fireflies and the starry sky at this beautiful place. Alexander started to shake his body, cried, and walked away like he was lost. My sister followed him, held him, and walked with him to the car. I had to collect my kids and informed my friends we were leaving, then went after Alexander & my sister. As I watched him, he looked as though he were lost and panicked. I felt as though I was going to cry along with him. I held my tears and used my calm voice and held him in the car for a while. I asked him and found out: Alexander panicked because he was worried we would get lost in the field and never find a way back home. Alexander cried because he could not handle the mixed smell of dirty water, soil, and grass. And it was dark, and we are in a very strange place. Alexander could not handle it at all.

Here we go, we had to leave even though we just got there. I held Alexander and could only assure him we were fine and would be home soon. That night, I cried and watched him sleep with his body curled in a blanket. I kissed him and make different plans for rest of summer vacation activities – No more evenings in a strange place.

Summer vacation 2010 – say goodbye to friends

Two years ago, when we left a hotel which we stayed three nights in Tokyo, Alexander cried on the way to Airport. He told us he liked the place and was sad to leave.


One year ago, we left Taiwan after our long summer vacation; Alexander cried and told us he would miss Taiwan and his favorite computer game.

This year, after our summer vacation, Alexander seemed to handle goodbyes to friends better. No tears. We were very glad to see his positive spirit.

After we came back home and we had some friends visit us for five days. When our friends left, Alexander started to cry. He will miss them and would like to see them soon.

Is this being soft-hearted or Asperger’s related? Who could tell? But I know, I will always hold him and assure him we will see our friends again.