A yellow leaf wiggles on the stem of an aspen tree in my back yard. The wind freshens and the leaf increase its movement until it flitters with excitement of the coming season. Changing from green to yellow then to brown announces the end of the growing season and the beginning of the trees winters rest.

The steady breeze allows the leaf to remain attached to its host until a brisk burst of chilly air detaches the leaf to float freely in the air. Looking up, Rory watches without words as the leaf dances in the sky. First left, then right, the leaf falls searching for a destination. Hoping the leaf will land in the garden pond, Rory dances left, then right to guide the yellow leaf to its autumn home.

Rory is in the garden watching leaves fall while waiting for the garden pond to drain, displaying the Koi for easy removal to their winter home - a 40-gallon tank inside my house. She becomes more and more excited as the pond drains and the golden, black and white fish begin to rise to the surface searching for food, air and displaying their curiosity for this change in their environment.

Rory loves to fish. Past fishing trips to Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Coeur d'Alene River result in numerous catfish, pike, bass and sizable cutthroat trout caught by my 8-year-old granddaughter.

Being outside, breathing fresh air and touching wildlife completes a person. Interacting with Mother Nature; having a conversation with her about her power to change the seasons and her ability to create a beautiful world puts one in touch with the power of Mother Earth.

Exploring the wild world with my granddaughter makes me a better man. Teaching Rory how to tie a fly, read a river and catch a fish is cathartic. Knowing that this little girl who shares my DNA also shares a desire to explore her wilderness and the wilds of Idaho excites my inner soul while making me desire to share more.

How to start a fire, shoot a gun, fire a compound-bow and pitch a tent in a snow storm are skills I wish to impart to my granddaughter. Often, I am too busy to share what is important to me with my future generation. I lose what is important in the search for money, fame, importance and job security. I offer my family brief, surface thoughts and ideas of what I view as the best of me but seldom share deep, meaningful thoughts of what I view important in this world. This is unfair!

I need to change. The people most important to me deserve the best of me. My granddaughter deserves a trip to the lake or river to explore her love for Mother Nature. My wife deserves my undivided attention when discussing her job and struggles with friends and coworkers and my mother deserves me to physically be with her as she battles cancer.

I offer this challenge for survival of the human race. As humans, I suggest we turn off the TV and turn on our appreciation from the people who appreciate us. I suggest we accept the challenge to be the best dad, grandpa, friend or husband that we can possibly be. I challenge every reader of this column to make someone's life better. I challenge each of you to look in the mirror and decide who you wish to be-a self-serving, egotistical jerk or a loving, giving, caring human. You make the choice.

If you wish to comment or offer suggestions, please email Bill Rutherford at bprutherford@hotmail.com.