Part 3
The following day we were able to reunite with our other child and the family felt whole again. And trust me, I remember feeling blessed to be able to feel that, fore I knew thousands more had been denied it, here and abroad. And thousands more would soon know that pain and fury.
I remember that in the days to follow there was a quiet that draped over parts of the city I traveled. Someone remarked, “What would you expect when 3000 souls were transitioning on?”
At DC Comics, a long time exec and friend walked the offices, floor by floor, offering kind words to many – sending some of them home, when home was truly a better place to be. Like some other professional comics artists and companies, he launched a graphic novel anthology project to honor those who died, those who risked their lives to save others, and those who must now deal with overwhelming loss.
I was proud to be part of that collection. I hope the story I wrote was of some help to someone. It certainly helped me to write it.
I remember street peddlers hawking “I survived 9-11” t-shirts not 48 hours after that tragedy. And I remember wanting – for one of the few times in my life – to smash someone’s face in. How dare they monetize and cheapen those deaths, and the families’ pain.
“Just tryin’ to make a living,” one hawker said.
So were they.
— End of Part 3 —
About Alex Simmons Says
Alex Simmons is an award-winning freelance writer, comic book creator, playwright, teaching artist, and educational consultant. He’s written for Disney Books, Penguin Press, Simon and Schuster, Marvel, DC, and Archie Comics. Simmons is the creator of the acclaimed adventure comic book series, Blackjack. As a teaching artist, Simmons has created and taught creative arts workshops for students and educators in the US, Europe, West Indies, and Africa.
Simmons has served on panels and delivered lectures on children’s entertainment mediums, as well as empowering young people through the arts. Simmons founded the annual family event, Kids Comic Con, as well as three comic arts exhibits, which have traveled abroad. He is currently developing a comics and creative arts program for children all over the world.
During the past 35 years, Simmons has participated as a member of arts and education boards for several New York State nonprofit organizations, as well as one in Nigeria.
As a teaching artist Simmons has worked with youth through the Bronx Community College, the Christopher Barron Live Life Foundation, Apollo Theater In-School Arts Program, Henkel McCoy, Upward Bound, New York Council on the Arts, Children’s Art Carnival, Wings Academy, and NYU Creative Arts Team, to name a few.
He has been a panelist at many literacy and arts events, and he has been a guest speaker at numerous colleges and educational institutions here and abroad.
At DC Comics, a long time exec and friend walked the offices, floor by floor, offering kind words to many – sending some of them home, when home was truly a better place to be. Like some other professional comics artists and companies, he launched a graphic novel anthology project to honor those who died, those who risked their lives to save others, and those who must now deal with overwhelming loss.
SimmonsHereAndNow 