Muskegon Couple Creates Wind Phone to Honor Late Son, Michael

URGENT UPDATE: A couple in Muskegon, Michigan, has created a unique memorial for their son who tragically passed away at the age of 18. Stacey and Alan McCabe have installed a wind phone along a lakeshore trail to help them and others connect with lost loved ones.

On the trail, surrounded by the vibrant colors of autumn, the McCabes reflect on the profound loss of their son, Michael, who was just starting his journey at Muskegon Community College when his life was cut short last October. “He was a happy kid. He was a free spirit,” Stacey shared, her voice filled with emotion. The suddenness of Michael’s passing left them grappling with an unimaginable void.

Just a year ago, the McCabes experienced a devastating moment when they discovered their son unresponsive in their home. “Alan found a gun casing on our bedroom floor and when he picked it up, that’s when he saw Michael lying on the floor,” Stacey recounted with tears. “That’s how we found out that he just is gone now.”

Now, during a time when their grief is most acute, Stacey and Alan have channeled their pain into creating a space that honors Michael’s memory. The wind phone, located at 1700 Lakeshore Drive, serves as a spiritual connection point where individuals can speak to their deceased loved ones, letting the wind carry their words away. “It is a phone that is a real phone, but is disconnected,” Stacey explained, emphasizing its symbolic nature.

Alan stepped into the booth, took a deep breath, and placed the receiver to his ear. “Hey buddy,” he began, a wave of emotion washing over him. “Getting ready to go a year and a half without you. I miss you. I miss you a lot, kid.” He expressed his longing for Michael’s voice one last time, saying, “I love you. Alright buddy, dad will talk to you later.”

Next, Stacey stepped inside, her voice trembling as she spoke to her son. “Hi Michael Anthony, it’s Mom. I miss you so much,” she said. As she shared plans for an upcoming indoor soccer game, she reflected on how much she wished he could be there. “I love you forever. I’ll talk to you again soon, okay? Bye sweetheart,” she concluded, placing the receiver down.

The McCabes designed the wind phone not just for themselves, but for anyone grappling with loss. “We put it in for everybody,” Stacey stated. “I just hope that it gives people a little better sleep at night, knowing they could have that last moment to say something, or even just to tell somebody about their day.”

The wind phone stands as a poignant reminder of the deep connections we share with our loved ones, even in death. As leaves fall and the wind carries memories, the McCabes invite the community to remember Michael and to find solace in the shared experience of love and loss.

For those wishing to visit, the wind phone is easily accessible along the lakeshore trail. The McCabes hope that each call made will serve as a tribute to Michael’s spirit and the enduring bond of family.

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, the McCabes continue their journey of healing, reminding us all of the power of connection, even when words are no longer shared in person.