URGENT UPDATE: A poignant tribute has emerged in Muskegon, Michigan, where parents Stacey and Alan McCabe have unveiled a unique way to communicate with their late son, Michael. This innovative “wind phone” allows grieving individuals to send spiritual messages to their loved ones who have passed, and it is quickly becoming a community beacon of hope.
On a trail near the lake, Stacey and Alan McCabe stand united in their grief. “He was a happy kid. He was a free spirit,” Stacey recalls, her voice trembling as she remembers Michael, who tragically died at just 18 years old. The devastating loss occurred last October when Alan discovered their son lying on the floor of their home. “That’s how we found out that he just is gone now,” Stacey shared, fighting back tears.
Michael was just beginning his journey into adulthood, having secured a scholarship to Muskegon Community College. “We never got to experience being empty nesters,” Stacey explained. “It happened like a light switch for us, with no transition.”
In a bid to honor Michael’s memory, the McCabes have created a sacred spot on the trail where he once rode his bike. The wind phone, located at 1700 Lakeshore Drive, is a real phone disconnected from any service. “It is a spiritual call that you would make to your loved one, that the wind carries your voice away to them,” Stacey described.
This unique installation not only serves as a personal outlet for the McCabes but is open for the entire community. “We didn’t put it in just for us,” Stacey stated. “I hope it gives people a little better sleep at night, knowing they have a way to connect.”
As Alan stepped into the booth, he took a deep breath and said, “Hey buddy. Getting ready to go a year and a half without you. I miss you. I miss you a lot, kid.” His heartfelt message encapsulates the pain of loss that so many feel. “I love you,” he concluded, tears flowing as he left the booth.
Stacey followed, her voice cracking as she addressed Michael. “Tomorrow, I think dad and I are gonna go to an indoor soccer game… I really wish we could be watching you,” she said, reflecting on the void left by their son. “When someone’s gone that you really don’t expect to be gone, you’ll do anything to feel that connection,” she added.
The wind phone stands as a symbol of memory and love, allowing others to reach out to their departed loved ones. The McCabes invite everyone to visit this sacred site and share their own messages of love and remembrance.
As winter approaches, the McCabes continue to find solace along the trail, a space where the wind carries their words and memories of Michael. “He loved being down here,” Alan said, emphasizing the emotional connection that this location offers.
For those looking to honor their lost loved ones, the wind phone at Muskegon’s lakeshore provides a healing touch in a time of grief. “We just hope you think of Michael when you place your call,” Stacey concluded.
This touching initiative is not just a personal journey for the McCabes; it is a community effort to promote healing and remembrance for all who have lost someone dear. Visit the wind phone at 1700 Lakeshore Drive in Muskegon, and take a moment to connect.
