UPDATE: A heartwarming initiative in Muskegon, Michigan, is capturing attention as grieving parents, Stacey and Alan McCabe, find a unique way to communicate with their late son, Michael. Just a year after his tragic passing at the age of 18, the couple has installed a wind phone along a lakeshore trail, allowing them—and others—to feel connected with loved ones lost.
On a somber November day, Stacey and Alan reflect on their son’s vibrant spirit. “He was a happy kid. He was a free spirit,” Stacey shared, her voice filled with emotion as her husband wiped away tears. Their world shattered last October when Michael was found unresponsive in their home. “He was just beginning his journey at Muskegon Community College on a scholarship,” Stacey recalled. “We never got to experience empty nesting. It was an abrupt transition.”
The couple often walks the trail where Michael loved to ride his bike, cherishing the memories of him. “He would stop here every time,” Alan noted, pointing to the path. The newly installed wind phone stands at 1700 Lakeshore Drive, a physical manifestation of their grief and love.
“This wind phone is for Michael,” Alan explained. “He loved being down here.” The phone is connected to nothing, offering a spiritual connection as voices carried by the wind serve as a way to communicate with those who have passed.
As Alan stepped into the booth, he took a deep breath and spoke into the receiver. “Hey buddy. I miss you,” he said, tears streaming down his face. “I’d give anything to hear your voice again.” He closed with, “I love you, kid,” before stepping out, visibly moved.
Stacey followed, her voice trembling as she spoke to Michael. “Hi Michael Anthony, it’s Mom. I miss you so much,” she expressed, sharing plans for an upcoming soccer game. “I really wish you could be here with us.” The couple hopes their initiative provides comfort not just for themselves but for others facing similar losses. “We didn’t put it in just for us,” Stacey emphasized. “We hope it helps others find peace and connection.”
The wind phone aims to offer solace to anyone grieving. “I just hope it gives people a little better sleep at night,” she added. The couple’s emotional journey, marked by love and remembrance, has sparked interest in the community, making the wind phone a poignant gathering place for healing.
The McCabes encourage those visiting the trail to think of Michael when they place their calls. The wind phone stands as a testament to their enduring love and the universal desire to connect with those we’ve lost. As visitors flock to the trail, the McCabes’ story is not just about loss; it’s about love, remembrance, and the hope of finding peace in the winds of Muskegon.
