Lisa Phillips: A real Maine native

There is no easy way to say it…but this week Maine lost a true native in Lisa Phillips. For Lisa, being a Mainer was more than the fact that she was born, raised and lived her entire life in Piscataquis county, it was a state of being. Without conscious effort, Lisa epitomized the quality of character that defines a real Mainer.

Room at the Table: No Strings attached
Lisa, like so many in northern Maine, worked hard to carve out a niche from which she could sustain her family and way of life. And while one might consider her financial resources limited, there was always an extra place at her table. What makes this characteristic unique to a real Mainer is this. The extra place at Lisa’s table was for anyone who needed it, wealthy, poor, old, young, happy, sad, addicted, healthy, infirm. That place at Lisa’s table could just as soon be occupied by Donald Trump as anyone. Because when it came to sharing what she had, Lisa didn’t need to know WHY you needed, just that you did.

Charity starts at home
Before big government-funded entitlement programs, families, neighbors, towns and churches took care of their own. If a family was having a hard time with the necessities, word would get out in the community and soon things like meat, vegetables, clothing, milk, empathy, understanding and care would appear. And it was reciprocated, for you never knew when the family in need might be your own.

For Lisa, this was not just a bit of depression-era sentiment. The well-being of her family and her community was her life’s work. She stepped in to be mother to her three nieces when she was called. She put her heart and soul into her marriage to my Uncle Joe. It’s been many years since I’ve heard family worrying about Joe—as they often did.

Lisa was a source of nourishment—spiritual, emotional and physical for her girls, her husband, her community and indeed anyone who came in contact with her. She wasn’t called far to do the Lord’s work, He kept her busy right here in Maine

Knowing the key to happiness
Real Mainers know that key to happiness is understanding that it doesn't come by having what you want, but by wanting what you have. Lisa may not have had everything she wanted, but if that was true, she never let on to me. She was truly thankful for and passionate about all she had. Her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her involvement in Church and community—and a decent, working kitchen, seemed to be all she ever wanted.

When I think of what makes me proud to be a real Mainer, I think of people like Lisa who do what it takes to get the job done with a smile and a song. I think of people like Lisa who understand the basic common sense and generosity so important to the success of a community. And most importantly, I think of people like Lisa, who live life with a quiet confidence and deep sincerity that immediately transcends our differences and touches our core sameness of humanity.

Our family and Maine lost a great one this week. But Lisa will always be a role model for me, and no matter how crazy, difficult and complicated my life seems to be, I’ll just need to think of her to remember what it means to be a real Mainer—and then everything will fall into place.