Saving Savanna
By Sara Fitzgerald
Devan can’t help but blame God for his wife’s death, so the last thing he wants to do this holiday season is celebrate. But when his daughter, Savanna, makes a special Christmas wish, their little family will never be the same. Filled with faith and tenderness, this heartwarming story is sure to remind you of the real power behind the magic of Christmas.
EXCERPT:
The wind whistled down the avenuesthat cold December night as Devan Smithtrudged across the murky, slush-filled streetwith his little girl, Savanna, by his side. The street’s curbswere covered with dirty piles of snow from yesterday’sstorm. The blackened snow reminded him of how darkhis soul felt without Vivian.“Look, Daddy,” Savanna said, tugging on his sleeve.“Look at all those shining lights. Mommy would love tosee them. Do you think she can?”Devan glanced down at her tiny face dominated bybig, innocent eyes that were the same shade of blue asher mother’s. He paused for a moment, deciding what totell her. She looked at him with such divine trust, a trustunlike any he had ever experienced, except the trust hiswife had in him. He had failed Vivian.“Daddy? Can Mommy see the lights?”He bit his lower lip and stooped by her. He foughtback the lump forming in his throat. He wished that shewould stop talking about Mommy. Each time, no matterhow much he thought he was prepared for the subject, thepain threatened to destroy his soul.He inhaled deeply and then slowly exhaled. Fog circledaround Savanna’s head; for a split second she lookedlike an angel as the cold from his breath danced aroundher brown curls.She was waiting for him to tell her everything wasgoing to be all right, that Mommy was in heaven lookingdown at them, but how could he? He no longer believedin heaven and hell. No loving God would have allowedwhat had happened to Vivian to take place. Devancouldn’t let Savanna become disillusioned.Savanna placed her arms around his neck. “Grandpasays she’s in heaven watching out for us.”He swallowed and then changed the subject. “We’dbetter go shopping, or else we won’t be done beforeChristmas. We only have three days left until Santa comesdown our chimney. What do you want him to bringyou?”“There’s only one thing I want from him,” she whispered,leaning toward him.He forced a smile. “And what’s that?”“I want Mommy back.”Tears blurred his vision. He wanted her mommy backtoo, more than anything in the world, but not even SantaClaus could do that. Vivian was dead, buried in a coldcemetery with only the snowfall as her blanket against thestorms of winter.
Sara Fitzgerald was named the 2006 Writerof the Year for the League of Utah Writers. Shelives with her husband and daughter in Salt LakeCity. She loves the Christmas season.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
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