URGENT UPDATE: A couple from Muskegon, Michigan, has found a unique way to connect with their late son, Michael McCabe, who tragically passed away at the age of 18. The emotional tribute, a wind phone located at 1700 Lakeshore Drive, is designed to help grieving families communicate with lost loved ones in a truly heartfelt manner.
Stacey and Alan McCabe routinely visit a scenic trail where they remember their son. “He was a happy kid. He was a free spirit,” said Stacey, as tears streamed down her face. The family’s life changed forever last October when they discovered Michael 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, her voice breaking.
Michael was just beginning his college journey at Muskegon Community College on a scholarship. “We never got to have to go through the empty nest phase,” Stacey explained. “It happened like a light switch for us.”
The wind phone, which is disconnected from any service, serves as a spiritual connection to Michael. “It is a phone that is a real phone, but is disconnected,” Stacey clarified. “And it carries your voice away to them.” The McCabes hope that this tribute offers comfort not only to them but to the community as well.
“Hey buddy,” Alan said as he stepped into the booth. “Getting ready to go a year and a half without you. I miss you.” His emotional message highlighted the deep longing that comes with such a profound loss. Stacey followed, saying, “Hi Michael Anthony, it’s Mom. I miss you so much.” She expressed her wish to share future moments with him, including an upcoming indoor soccer game.
“This isn’t just for us,” Stacey added. “We hope that it gives people a little better sleep at night, knowing they can have that last moment to say something or even just to tell somebody about their day.”
The wind phone stands as a symbol of love and remembrance for the McCabes and aims to provide solace to others grieving in the community. For those interested, the wind phone can be found along the trail, ready to help families connect with their lost loved ones in a way that words alone cannot.
As the leaves fall along the Muskegon trail, the McCabes invite everyone to remember Michael and take a moment to reflect on their own connections. The emotional weight of their journey resonates with many, and the couple hopes that their story will encourage others to cherish their loved ones while they can.
