7 Years Ago

Man, has it truly been seven years that this happened? I think many of this generation, let alone anyone old enough can talk about where they were when this happened.

Jill and I were still living in San Francisco. After I got out of the shower she said it looks like a plane has hit the WTC. I really did not think about too much as I thought it was a small plane. Then on the radio, I found out it was a 747. I began to freak out because I thought to myself, my cousin Paul works there and I hope he is ok. Then another plane hit and then the buildings fell. I started to get worried. I remember I arrived at my desk at work very nervous. I went into my supervisor’s office and literally cried. Anyone who knows me, I am not emotional in sad events. Heck, I do not even cry at funerals and read the obituaries. Yet, somehow I was upset and I just went home.

I remember just being numb, like the life was sucked out of me for about a week. I spoke with my Dad that day and he told me that Paul was ok. Like the shmuck I was, I emailed Paul to ask me for details of what it was like. My Dad though gave me some other shocking news, that my cousin Bobby was supposed to be at the WTC and so far nobody heard from him.

So the day goes by and nothing from Bobby. We also found out, he was going to the WTC for a seminar to better himself. Days went by and we heard nothing. Like so many of the families, our family sent out alerts looking for him and pictures. Unfortunately, he was gone.

Let’s make one thing clear. I knew who Bobby was, but in my lifetime, I do not believe we ever met and I know we never spoke on the phone. But I felt a connection for one reason, Deraney. For anyone that knows me, I love my family more than anything. Whether the last name is Deraney, Boustany, Kearns, Kassis or Gabor, I will fight for them, regardless of the situation and without hesitation.

Other than my immediate family, I never was really close to the Deraney side. After my grandparents divorced and the eventual death of my Grandfather, the Deraney family was something you heard about from others. But I always kept an ear out because it is my family and plain and simple I really wanted to be part of it but did not know how.


So a few days after the tragedy, I started getting forwards from Michelle (Mimi) Haobsh who was Bobby’s sister. I also knew of Mimi and realized, God forbid something else happens (thank God I did) and I would never talk to her or anyone else on that side of the Deraney family that was so far removed from my world.

So, I decided to email her. I introduced myself in case she had no idea who I was and almost immediately, Mimi and I started emailing each other back and forth on a daily basis. We both admitted to each other that we were always anticipating emails from each other every day like school kids. She would tell me about times with my Dad and my grandfather (her Uncle Ray) and about her family. I told her how much everyone loved her mom, Aunt Gette, and all the great things my Dad would say about her. She told me that she had Breast Cancer (which at the time was in remission) and how instrumental Bobby was in helping her seek treatment.

Now, I talk with my family on that side constantly. I even found out that more Deraney’s that were also suffering Miami Dolphin fans like myself. What are the chances of that? If it was not for Bobby and this horrible day, I would not have met Mimi, who passed away 2 years ago and would never have known my Deraney cousins, Aunts and Uncles.

Thank you Bobby for the best gift I could receive, my family. You are truly missed by all and I am forever grateful of the sacrifice you and thousands of others have made.