Michael's Journey Through the Stars
- Thread starter Freebooted
- Start date
We, as human, know too little of what's happening in the universe. I'm not talking about black holes and astrophysics, I'm talking about what life is, who we really are.
Is our body just a vehicle? Will our energy, our life, our conscience, continue its journey when this body is done?
I really wish so Michael, so as your family and friends wrote on your coffin, now you're already respawn in a better place and you can continue your wonderful journey through the stars.
O7 CMDR
p.s.
Guys at Frontier are amazing. A remarkable example of humanity and sensibility
Is our body just a vehicle? Will our energy, our life, our conscience, continue its journey when this body is done?
I really wish so Michael, so as your family and friends wrote on your coffin, now you're already respawn in a better place and you can continue your wonderful journey through the stars.
O7 CMDR
p.s.
Guys at Frontier are amazing. A remarkable example of humanity and sensibility
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[My statement to the community at LaveCon 2019]
Hi.
I promise I won't keep you long.
I was kindly invited here along with my nephew Nathan following recent events that you may have read about in recent social media coverage.
In case you haven't, I'll try to give you a TLDR.
I'm also uncle to CMDR Michael Holyland, Nathan's older brother who died in May this year after six years of illness.
Don't worry, It's not my intention to get everyone on a downer today. I think Michael's story has already generated enough tears. I'm hoping to achieve the opposite. I'm here to focus on the positives.
Throughout his years of illness, gaming was a lifeline for a boy who from the age of 9 spent much of his time in hospital or stuck at home, unable to enjoy a normal childhood.
Most of all, Elite Dangerous became a vital common ground that allowed Michael, Nathan and I to have fun together (instancing permitting) and he could transcend his illness as CMDR Michael Holyland.
So the primary reason for me asking for a few minutes of your time today was to say thank you.
When I shared Michael's plight online, the community outreach was incredible. I still remain genuinely a little nonplussed by the generosity and empathy of a group of strangers.
As I've written elsewhere, the burden of trying to keep Michael buoyant in his last days was made infinitely more manageable by everyone from Frontier, the Elite Dangerous community and beyond.
As I said to Zac and Ben earlier, in times past, communities were built around churches, now they're often built around games. [It takes a village…] And this community is testament to the fact that they can be wonderful and empathic and generous. Thank you all. You are a credit to gaming communities.
In particular, I'd like to thank Zac, Paige, and Sally for coming to the hospital and really putting a spring back in Michael's step with the swag, the ingame gifts and most importantly, your time. (Although Michael would probably say it was mostly the swag)
Which brings me to my final round of thanks. I want to talk about Michael's Story. Not the story of a boy from Norfolk, but the space pilot from the Amber system.
On top of everything, in an incredible act of generosity, creativity and some - quite frankly - god-level organisation and time management, Zac masterminded the creation of a 40-minute professionally written, acted and edited mini-audiobook all about Michael's adventures in Elite from beginning to end in less than 3 days.
Drew Wagar authored the entire 7000-word script in a day, which I still maintain is not possible by normal humans. In the story, Drew's brilliant writing works on multiple levels, managing to effortlessly be a fun adventure that delighted a 15-year-old autistic boy, while simultaneously touching deeper, bittersweet notes with a subtlety and sensitivity that is appreciated by the rest of the family.
Those words were done absolutely justice with stunning deliveries from some familiar voices in the acting talents of Richard Reed, Jay Britton and Amelia Tyler, and I believe - channelling Stan Lee - a cameo from Drew. It was all put together with polish and panache by Joe Hogan. A huge thank you to them all for being so talented, so generous, and so available.
The story was presented to Michael as a personal gift to keep by Zac and Paige the day before he died.
Michael loved it. It was an incredible gift created by many for one.
But it was Michael's wish to give it back to the community that gave him so much.
So as of this afternoon, I'd like on Michael's behalf to give Michael's Story back to the Elite Dangerous Community with eternal gratitude.
I'll share the YouTube link on Twitter as soon as I'm finished here, and I'm hoping to arrange a charity pay-what-you-want download for the original audio, to be announced.
First, I'd like to play you a couple of quick clips. The first showcasing the villain of the story, one of three characters played by the talented Amelia Tyler and the second, a more sombre moment.
Before I do, I need to apologize for the quality of the very last-minute video component. I spent yesterday pillaging the internet for vaguely appropriate images to accompany the audio. It is my hope that the community may be able to improve on that and I'd love to talk to folk afterward about it.
In any case, once again, a heartfelt and abiding thank you to everyone.
You make gaming important.
Source: https://youtu.be/F_Q7JB-ku-Q
Hi.
I promise I won't keep you long.
I was kindly invited here along with my nephew Nathan following recent events that you may have read about in recent social media coverage.
In case you haven't, I'll try to give you a TLDR.
I'm also uncle to CMDR Michael Holyland, Nathan's older brother who died in May this year after six years of illness.
Don't worry, It's not my intention to get everyone on a downer today. I think Michael's story has already generated enough tears. I'm hoping to achieve the opposite. I'm here to focus on the positives.
Throughout his years of illness, gaming was a lifeline for a boy who from the age of 9 spent much of his time in hospital or stuck at home, unable to enjoy a normal childhood.
Most of all, Elite Dangerous became a vital common ground that allowed Michael, Nathan and I to have fun together (instancing permitting) and he could transcend his illness as CMDR Michael Holyland.
So the primary reason for me asking for a few minutes of your time today was to say thank you.
When I shared Michael's plight online, the community outreach was incredible. I still remain genuinely a little nonplussed by the generosity and empathy of a group of strangers.
As I've written elsewhere, the burden of trying to keep Michael buoyant in his last days was made infinitely more manageable by everyone from Frontier, the Elite Dangerous community and beyond.
As I said to Zac and Ben earlier, in times past, communities were built around churches, now they're often built around games. [It takes a village…] And this community is testament to the fact that they can be wonderful and empathic and generous. Thank you all. You are a credit to gaming communities.
In particular, I'd like to thank Zac, Paige, and Sally for coming to the hospital and really putting a spring back in Michael's step with the swag, the ingame gifts and most importantly, your time. (Although Michael would probably say it was mostly the swag)
Which brings me to my final round of thanks. I want to talk about Michael's Story. Not the story of a boy from Norfolk, but the space pilot from the Amber system.
On top of everything, in an incredible act of generosity, creativity and some - quite frankly - god-level organisation and time management, Zac masterminded the creation of a 40-minute professionally written, acted and edited mini-audiobook all about Michael's adventures in Elite from beginning to end in less than 3 days.
Drew Wagar authored the entire 7000-word script in a day, which I still maintain is not possible by normal humans. In the story, Drew's brilliant writing works on multiple levels, managing to effortlessly be a fun adventure that delighted a 15-year-old autistic boy, while simultaneously touching deeper, bittersweet notes with a subtlety and sensitivity that is appreciated by the rest of the family.
Those words were done absolutely justice with stunning deliveries from some familiar voices in the acting talents of Richard Reed, Jay Britton and Amelia Tyler, and I believe - channelling Stan Lee - a cameo from Drew. It was all put together with polish and panache by Joe Hogan. A huge thank you to them all for being so talented, so generous, and so available.
The story was presented to Michael as a personal gift to keep by Zac and Paige the day before he died.
Michael loved it. It was an incredible gift created by many for one.
But it was Michael's wish to give it back to the community that gave him so much.
So as of this afternoon, I'd like on Michael's behalf to give Michael's Story back to the Elite Dangerous Community with eternal gratitude.
I'll share the YouTube link on Twitter as soon as I'm finished here, and I'm hoping to arrange a charity pay-what-you-want download for the original audio, to be announced.
First, I'd like to play you a couple of quick clips. The first showcasing the villain of the story, one of three characters played by the talented Amelia Tyler and the second, a more sombre moment.
Before I do, I need to apologize for the quality of the very last-minute video component. I spent yesterday pillaging the internet for vaguely appropriate images to accompany the audio. It is my hope that the community may be able to improve on that and I'd love to talk to folk afterward about it.
In any case, once again, a heartfelt and abiding thank you to everyone.
You make gaming important.
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I would like to think that, given the same circumstances, I could be even half as brave and stoic as Michael obviously was. Somehow I doubt it.
o7 CMDR Michael Holyland
o7 CMDR Michael Holyland
Javert
Volunteer Moderator
Very sorry for your loss. I hadn't realised the full details and magnitude of this until I heard Matthew's moving speech at Lavecon on Saturday.
I'm so glad that Frontier and the community stepped in to help make Michael's final days a little more bearable.
I hope you don't mind but I entered the below into the Lavecon Drabble competition in his memory:
Unimaginable forces ebb and flow across the galaxy, drawing asteroids, planets, even stars, from their lonely paths.
Sometimes they meet in catastrophic beauty.
One moment. One brave commander - cruelly ripped from hyperspace. But neither alien abductor nor pirate lurks.
Savage fate replaces hum of FSD with sterile thrum and lightning crack of MRI, demanding a new and greater courage.
A desperate cry goes out. In his hour of need, the infinite kindness of strangers draws him in.
As his pain dissolves in a cradle of love, his ship leads the way to permit locked regions where we cannot yet follow.
I'm so glad that Frontier and the community stepped in to help make Michael's final days a little more bearable.
I hope you don't mind but I entered the below into the Lavecon Drabble competition in his memory:
Unimaginable forces ebb and flow across the galaxy, drawing asteroids, planets, even stars, from their lonely paths.
Sometimes they meet in catastrophic beauty.
One moment. One brave commander - cruelly ripped from hyperspace. But neither alien abductor nor pirate lurks.
Savage fate replaces hum of FSD with sterile thrum and lightning crack of MRI, demanding a new and greater courage.
A desperate cry goes out. In his hour of need, the infinite kindness of strangers draws him in.
As his pain dissolves in a cradle of love, his ship leads the way to permit locked regions where we cannot yet follow.
That's beautiful. Thank you.
Wat about we ask fdev for a memorial planetary site like the guardian sites to be placed somewhere in the bubble with data links to scan remembering all the lost cmdrs it could be a pilgrimage site to remember those who have gone b4 just a thought o7
It's been suggested before ..
Just heard of another CMDR dying in real life - time for the Tionosla ship graveyard?
I know people have wanted this for a long time, but just as a general location. Perhaps FD could put it in, and when a player is confirmed dead in real life, the last ship they were flying could be added to the graveyard along with a their name somehow attached to the ship. I know FD do...
.. but it quickly got bogged down in technicalities and the whole thing turned from a "nice idea" into something quite unsavoury.
I'm not man of many words, but this story is kind of amazing on its own right, and it tells much about what kind of community we Elitists are.
o7 CMDR Michael Holyland, rest in peace
"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightl " - Blade Runner.
Sorry for your loss.
o7 CMDR Michael Holyland
Sorry for your loss.
o7 CMDR Michael Holyland
Even though I've seen this thread countless times, I never read it until now.
I wish I had read it sooner...heartbreaking.
My sincere condolences.
o7 Fly safe Michael
I wish I had read it sooner...heartbreaking.
My sincere condolences.
o7 Fly safe Michael
Dear Elite Dangerous Community.
You will likely recall the story of CMDR Michael Holyland, who sadly passed way in May this year at the age of 15.
A personalised audiobook was created for him by the combined efforts of Frontier, Voice Actors and the Community.
It was Michael's wish that the audiobook be made available to the community so they could also enjoy it. We have taken the additional step of publishing it in ebook formats too. The book can be freely downloaded from the link below.
We are suggesting donations to Cancer Research UK in memory of Michael.
www.drewwagar.com
Thanks to you all. Right on, Commanders. o7.
Cheers,
Drew.
You will likely recall the story of CMDR Michael Holyland, who sadly passed way in May this year at the age of 15.
A personalised audiobook was created for him by the combined efforts of Frontier, Voice Actors and the Community.
It was Michael's wish that the audiobook be made available to the community so they could also enjoy it. We have taken the additional step of publishing it in ebook formats too. The book can be freely downloaded from the link below.
We are suggesting donations to Cancer Research UK in memory of Michael.
Michael's Story Available | The official website of Drew Wagar
Michael's Elite Dangerous Story available in audiobook and ebook formats
www.drewwagar.com
Thanks to you all. Right on, Commanders. o7.
Cheers,
Drew.
The loss of a great Cmdr is always a tragedy for his family and the entire community of Elite pilots.
A painful story here.
RIP Cmdr Michael ! We are and will all be together among the stars.
A painful story here.
RIP Cmdr Michael ! We are and will all be together among the stars.
Here's the memorial stone Michael's parents had commissioned to immortalise his love of spaceships, tanks and things that go. It'll be going in their back garden. I understand there is a larger one still being made too.
