Here's a great idea for part of your upcoming Mother's Day weekend: The 5K Truman Run to benefit children with special needs at Sunshine Center in Independence, Missouri. It's all happening Saturday morning at the Sunshine Center, 607 West Lexington in Harry's town. The run starts at 8:00 a.m. so get there early to register. You can get more information by calling 816-833-2088. If you're thinking that a 5K...that's 3.1 miles...is too far to run...don't sweat it, walk it with friends. My wife has been in hundreds of fun runs over the years and this is one of her favorites. It has become a favorite of our daughter, as well. All the women in my family, learn to run very fast and, usually, away from me. My job at the run will be to welcome everyone at the start and give out awards at the end...while carefully guarding the assorted tables of food in between. Folks at these runs often ask why I don't run with my wife and I make it clear that we also serve, who stand and weight...I mean "wait."

This run is almost always the day before Mother's Day and one year, my wife's time was not what she was hoping for or expecting. Speaking of expecting...she was and didn't know it yet. That little bundle that slowed her down, now runs next to her. (And, by the way, has done just the opposite of slowing things down, ever since!)

Years ago, I did a story for the news about what to get Mom for her special day. At the time we had three kids, the boys were two and three and that speedy little girl was about six months old. The boys each took a five dollar bill into a dollar store and picked out what they thought Mom would like. She ended up with a hose nozzle, plastic ducks, some fertilizer sticks (with three in diapers at the time that seemed redundant), placemats, a candle, coasters and several other choices I don't recall. One of the boys was insistent about getting one particular item for Mom: a paperback Bible. Apparently, he knew, even at two, that with three and soon four little hooligans running around, Mom and Dad, would need it!

Which brings us back to running the good race this Saturday morning at Sunshine Center. See you there...I'll be the one holding the donuts, but holding them with great vigor!