MUSKEGON, Mich. — After losing their son, Michael McCabe, in October 2022, Stacey and Alan McCabe have found a heartfelt way to maintain their connection with him. Michael, at just 18 years old, passed away unexpectedly, leaving his parents in profound grief. On a trail near the lakeshore in Muskegon, the couple reflects on their loss and honors their son’s memory.
As autumn leaves drift along the trail, Stacey recalls, “He was a happy kid. He was a free spirit.” The couple’s lives changed dramatically on that fateful evening when Alan discovered a gun casing on their bedroom floor. “That’s when he saw Michael lying on the floor,” Stacey recounted. The tragic incident marked the end of Michael’s budding journey; he had recently begun his studies on scholarship at Muskegon Community College.
Stacey shared that the abrupt nature of their loss made it feel as if they never had a chance to prepare for empty nest syndrome. “People complain about being empty nesters. We never got to have to go through that. It happened like a light switch for us,” she explained.
Creating a Space for Remembrance
To cope with their grief, Stacey and Alan frequently walk the trail, where Michael loved to ride his bike. The couple has established a special tribute to their son: a wind phone, located at 1700 Lakeshore Drive. This unique installation allows visitors to communicate with their lost loved ones through a disconnected phone. “We had put this wind phone in for Michael and had the bench put in for Michael,” Alan said, indicating the emotional significance of the site.
Stacey elaborated, “It is a phone that is a real phone, but is disconnected. And it is a spiritual call that you would make to your loved one, that the wind carries your voice away to them.” The McCabes believe that this tribute is not solely for their family. “We didn’t put it in just for us. We put it in for everybody,” Stacey stated.
An Emotional Connection
On a recent visit, Alan stepped into the booth, took a deep breath, and spoke into the receiver. “Hey buddy. Getting ready to go a year and a half without you. I miss you. I miss you a lot, kid.” His eyes welled with tears as he expressed his longing for their lost conversations. “I love you,” he concluded, leaving the booth with a heavy heart.
Stacey followed, her voice breaking as she addressed Michael. “Hi Michael Anthony, it’s Mom. I miss you so much,” she shared, recalling plans to attend an indoor soccer game—something they used to enjoy together. “I really wish we could be watching you,” she added, highlighting the poignant reality of her memories. “I love you forever. I’ll talk to you again soon, okay? Bye sweetheart.”
The wind phone has become a symbolic gesture of connection for many who visit. Stacey hopes it provides comfort to others grieving their loved ones, allowing them a moment to share their feelings or simply recount their day. “I just hope that it gives people a little better sleep at night,” she said.
The McCabes continue to honor Michael’s memory along the trail he cherished, creating a space where others can also find solace. As mourners walk the path, they may pause at the wind phone, sharing their thoughts and feelings, and in that moment, keeping the memory of their loved ones alive.
