Parent Spotlight: Rachel Shimmerlik Brown

“My mom is up there,” Amara said wistfully one spectacular early fall morning as the sun sent piercing golden rays through the not-quite changing leaves. Turning to the 3rd grade teacher, Mr. Goddard, she asked, “Can you get me a REALLY tall ladder?” “That’s called the stairway to heaven,” he told her. A while later, as they walked to Farm and Garden, Amara’s friend waved at the sun. “Hi Amara’s mom.” “Not now,” said Amara. “My mom is sleeping.” 

Rachel and her husband Eli moved their lives to the community in January so their daughter, Amara, could attend the Otto Specht School. Rachel quickly became a connector within the parent body of the school. The geographic distances between our families was no barrier for Rachel’s reach and warm invitations - to have playdates and to simply connect as a unique set of parents whose children often do not conform to the typical expectations of their age. Rachel connected as well to families throughout the local community as she took bike rides and walks with Amara, an enthusiastic friend to all who she met. Rachel seamlessly struck up conversations with the parents of each child Amara engaged with. When summer came, Rachel spent many afternoons swimming with her daughter at the pond while both continued to widen their circles of friendship. Rachel watched as Amara navigated the social landscape, something so natural to Rachel, but where, despite such deep interest, Amara often found it hard to enter in. Rachel skillfully found the moments to intervene, to ask a question, or to model a social norm. Amara began to find her way with more ease as summer progressed, and new friends were firmly established.

Our community was the last in which Rachel was able to form these deep friendships and connections, but from every era of her life Rachel had true and lasting friendships. Hundreds of people showed up days after her passing to celebrate her life and share in their collective sadness. Hundreds more joined via zoom. Rachel, it was clear, touched so very many lives profoundly even in her abbreviated time on earth. Everyone spoke of her ability to make life more enjoyable, to find a space for humor, and to just be there when needed. She could throw an impromptu dance party amidst what could be a mundane moment such as making breakfast. She knew how to live and she had also contemplated how to die when faced with Leukemia earlier on in life. 

At her service, Eli read her favorite stanza of her favorite poem, “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens. 

It was evening all afternoon.   

It was snowing   

And it was going to snow.   

The blackbird sat   

In the cedar-limbs.

The contrast of this image to the humid, late August day outside seemed to emphasize the sudden departure of warmth and light that Rachel brought to this physical world. At first,one might be surprised that this introspective stanza was a favorite of Rachel’s. But thinking about this poem; so many perspectives of a blackbird, of nature, of human nature, of oneself, it makes sense. This is Rachel - her way of listening, considering, and bringing perspectives; her ability to go inside, deeply, but not shut herself off from twelve other ways of looking at a blackbird, and endless ways of looking at life. 

In myriad ways as well, we have watched Amara navigate her sadness and its many accompanying emotions. We have seen her make sense of her loss in ways that only the young and wise can do. Amara has a strong spirit, the kind of spirit that makes an undeniable difference in the world. Whether by chance or something greater, Rachel and Eli brought her here to our school, and meeting her at this moment feels significant. It matters that she is here and that we can provide a fortress of love she can push and bump up against, relax into, and be held by. All the while, we witness and learn. “It’s ok,” Amara said, confidently. “She knows who we are and she’s thinking about us.”