Malcolm GauldI’ve always thought that the lacrosse stick promises endless possibilities for world peace….really. After 30 years of teaching, I can tell you that there’s no better one-on-one counseling session than having a catch on the front lawn. (I’m also never sure who’s counseling who.)
A few years ago I got involved with a group called Maya Lacrosse (www.mayalacrosse.org), a magical thing that is bringing the sport to some of the world’s poorest children in Guatemala. These kids live on a dump (literally) in Guatemala City, and a few years back a wonderful non-profit called Safe Passage (www.safepassage.org) started paying them some care and attention.
It all started when some American lax players went down and ran some clinics. The sport really caught on, as it’s doing all over the world — Hey, you can’t hold back the truth forever, right? — and lax fever (My college roomie called it “cradle madness.”) is definitely alive and well there. If this picture doesn’t bring a smile to your face, nothing will. (Feel free to pull out your checkbook and support the cause. Laura and I have.)
But think of the larger picture. How about we bring some sticks down to the National Mall and give our leaders the chance to have a catch? I could definitely see Obama going behind the back, upper left corner.
Onward, Malcolm Gauld
