Soon after crossing the border into Texas, Cosmo and Silvia encounter an unusual and striking landmark: a 190-foot-tall freestanding cross. Located in Groom, Texas, a small Panhandle town with fewer than 600 residents, the cross stands as a symbol in the heart of the Bible Belt, a region where religion is deeply woven into daily life. The massive structure rises “firm and fierce on the flat, dry ground as if threatening to chase all the non-believers back to Oklahoma.”
The sight sparks a thoughtful conversation about faith and belief. Cosmo reflects on the role of religion in people’s lives, noting that even though it may not resonate with him personally, it provides many with comfort, strength, and a sense of community. More importantly, he realizes, religion offers a connection to one’s spiritual nature, a reminder of humanity’s enduring search for meaning and purpose.
This landmark visit underscores the unique spiritual and cultural landscapes of Texas, offering travelers an opportunity to explore both the geography and the values of the communities that call the region home.
Here’s an excerpt from this chapter of Discovery of an Eagle.
They were greeted in Texas by a DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS sign and by God himself. God was everywhere—on the radio, at the rest stops, on the billboards by the side of the road. They weren’t driving long when Cosmo spotted a giant silver cross that he could see from the interstate. He was happy he was driving, so he had the freedom to drive toward it to get a closer look and that he didn’t have to beg Silvia to do so.
This post is from my blog series on the places visited in the road trip story, “Discovery of an Eagle.”
Grace Mattioli is the author of the Greco Family Trilogy books, including Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees, Discovery of an Eagle, and The Bird that Sang in Color. These books are available from all major online book sellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
