Across the country, a quiet movement is reshaping how people process grief—one phone call at a time.

One year ago, on December 14, 2024, the Town of Oak Island introduced its first Wind Phone at May Moore Park: a simple, unconnected rotary phone offering a place for visitors to “call” loved ones who have passed. There is no dial tone and no wires. Instead, people speak their hearts into the coastal breeze and let the wind carry their words wherever they need to go.

a closeup of wind phone instructions

A Personal Act of Love That Became a Community Gift

For Oak Island resident Wendy Morris, the Wind Phone is a tribute to her late husband, Michael Morris, a beloved ESL educator who touched many lives in Brunswick County. Wanting to create something meaningful in his honor, Wendy partnered with local artist Joanna Frye and craftsman Albert Hardison to bring the project to life.

Their creation, rooted in grief, compassion, and community, quickly became a sanctuary for anyone seeking comfort, connection, or a moment to be heard by someone they miss.

a wind phone on sunset beach, nc

A Movement Takes Root Across the Coast

Since the Wind Phone’s installation, visitors have traveled from across North Carolina and beyond to experience this peaceful space firsthand. The response has been so heartfelt that a second Wind Phone was installed at Sunset Beach, reflecting a growing desire for mindful, nature-centered ways to honor loved ones. In nearby Ocean Isle Beach, a third wind phone was constructed at the Concord Street beach access. 

Woman sitting on a bench writing by a mailbox on the beach

Here in North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, this idea feels right at home. Our coast has long inspired quiet reflection, and one of the region’s most cherished traditions—the Kindred Spirit Mailbox—shares this same spirit of remembrance. Tucked along the shoreline of Bird Island, the mailbox holds journals filled with hopes, prayers, memories, and messages to those who have passed. Like the Wind Phone, it is a simple gesture that has become a profound source of solace for thousands.

One Year Later: A Coastal Community Reflects

As the Oak Island Wind Phone marks its first anniversary, locals and visitors alike are reflecting on how one woman’s act of love sparked something larger than she imagined. What began as a tribute to one life has become part of an international movement redefining how communities support healing, memory, and connection.

In a region known for its natural beauty and calming coastal landscapes, the Wind Phone feels like another thread in the Brunswick Islands’ longstanding tradition of offering comfort through nature.

a wind phone on oak island, nc

A Meaningful Space for the Holiday Season

The holidays often bring a mix of joy and tender remembrance, especially for those missing someone. During this season, the Wind Phone and the Kindred Spirit Mailbox provide peaceful spaces to pause, reflect, and honor loved ones in your own way.

Whether you come to speak into the wind, write a message in a journal, or simply stand quietly beside the sea, the Brunswick Islands welcome you to find comfort in the coastal calm.

Here, even the breeze feels like it can carry a message of love and memory. To plan your visit, please explore www.ncbrunswick.com/plan.