I raced down the steps faster than a spark of fire and forgot about the hole in the carpeting of the last step. My foot caught in the hole and I fell onto the floor. Dad who was hammering at the furnace swung round.

“Shimmy! What ya doing?” he shouted. Then more gently “Are you okay?”

I nodded and put my grazed arm behind my back. I’m always racing around and I often fall so I’m used to scratches and bumps.

“That bang was a big one” Dad said. “We may have to replace the furnace. Luckily it’s been a little warmer the last few days so we won’t miss the heating that much.”

“You can’t fix it Dad?” The smoke that was coming from the furnace made me sneeze four times in a row.

“Well … maybe we’ll try one more time this evening” Dad said starting up the stairs. I followed him sneezing all the way.

I was excited. I love watching when Dad takes out his toolbox and starts fixing things. Actually I do more than help. I’ve learned a lot from my Dad and I’m a big fixer myself.