This a most human story that touches to the core. The connection between these two families as a result of this heart transplant says much.
The Rod Carew & Konrad Reuland story
Konrad Reuland had met Rod Carew when he was a six grader in the 1990s. The baseball legend and the NFL player are forever united twenty years later. Reuland died from an aneurysm. He was an organ donor. Carew received his heart and one of his kidney.
Because of the timing of Konrad’s death and Carew’s transplant, the two families put puzzled together. Konrad’s mother, Mary Reuland contacted Carew’s wife, Rhonda. Soon after, the two families met face to face.
It was very touching to watch as every family member listened to Konrad’s heart beating in Carew’s chest. The joy it brought them to know that a piece of their son, their sibling, was alive and well as it gave life to someone else.
The following exchanges said it all.
“Remember, you are a part of our family now,” Mary Reuland said.
“Yes,” Carew replied. “Forever.”
“You got a good one,” Mary Reuland said. “And it went into a good man. It’s mutual.”
“Thank you,” Carew said. “I will take care of this heart. Because I’ve been given a second chance.”
“We lost a wonderful man,” Mary said. “So it had to go into a wonderful person. I am just happy that my son’s heart through you is standing back in his home.
This story has a special meaning to me as this baseball legend; Rod Carew is from my town in Panama. They still celebrate him with named stadiums and much more.
I am a socio-economic-social-justice political blogger. You all know I had to give this story a bit more context.
We spend so much time in society today concerned about biases of all types as opposed to concentrating on things that matter. One cannot help but note that a white stranger’s heart is giving life to a black man. There is a distinct possibility that Carew’s own brother’s heart might not have been a match.
Why am I making that point? We created false criteria for differentiating people when biology makes it clear that we are one.
Ask yourself then why in these times when there is so much knowledge, we are returning to the ignorance that is racism and prejudice? It serves the purpose of dividing us. If we fight among each other, then we take our eyes off of those who are the ones causing us pain. And you know what? We have the power within each of us prevent them, the plutocracy, from succeeding.
(h/t CNN)