Friday's Surprises

Carl had a plan for our free Friday -- and oh, what a plan it was! He whisked me off to breakfast at Cisco’s, the beloved East Austin Tex-Mex restaurant since 1950 which is now recognized as a historic landmark.

The walls are adorned with photos of Rudy “Cisco” Cisneros’s famous friends with a vintage ambiance that made us feel like we stepped back in time.

After breakfast, Carl surprised me with a visit to the Texas State Cemetery. A cemetery?  What in the world? 

We had our walking shoes on, and I expected a walk through a park.  I was puzzled at first, but I can't overstate how rich, how beautiful, how thoughtful and how MONUMENTAL our walking excursion was!

First, we went into the Visitors Center that provided an informative video narrated by our own Governor Greg Abbott -- with many more artifacts and busts of notable Texas leaders.

Then, it felt like we stepped into a little slice of heaven as the grounds are impeccable -- with water features and walking trails that led us to compelling monuments that honor those who shaped our state’s history. 

I was enveloped by a sense of peace and reverence. Truly – NOT the creepy mindset of hanging out at a cemetery!

Established in 1851, the cemetery is the final resting place for many notable Texans, including Stephen F. Austin, known as the "Father of Texas," for his role in founding the American colonies in Texas and leading the Texan colonists to independence from Mexico.

The cemetery has evolved to become a burial ground for notable Texans like Governor John Connally, a monument for Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, other lawmakers, public servants, artists, athletes, scientists and scholars who have made significant contributions to Texas history and culture who have dignified places of honor and appreciation.

Beyond riveting was the "Confederate Field of Monuments" that contains over 2,200 marked graves of Confederate veterans and their wives dating back 1840. Still present to this day are their original $40 headstones.

Most compelling to me was seeing the birth and death dates on the headstones, separated by a simple dash.  It reminded me of the brevity of life. It's not the accolades or monuments that truly matter, but how we live our lives in the light of eternity. As Matthew 25:21 says, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  Don’t you want to hear that someday?  I sure do!

I may never have a grand monument, but I pray that my life reflects character, honor, and faithfulness to God and His people.

How about you?