Revisiting the Taj Mahal

My favorite snow globe, one featuring the iconic Taj Mahal, may be difficult for you to see in the image but trust me, it is on our fireplace mantel nestled amongst precious Christmas cards.


I will never forget stepping around a cumbersome wall that blocked my view. How I gasped at the beauty suddenly in front of me when I first visited the Taj in 1994. It was the only time in my lifetime that a building elicited tears.


In 2008 when my high school sweetheart and I got back together, I knew that I had to share India with him. This meant that I got to see the Taj again – this time in the moonlight.

Thinking about the Taj Mahal this holiday season seems appropriate. Shaking the snow globe puts in motion only a few flakes. We haven’t yet had measurable snow here in Iowa.

The Taj was built to express love. Love is in the air even though unfortunately it is accompanied by undesirable viruses. Using our Exerstriders to walk the Nature trail by our home, we commented the last couple of days that there are more smiles and greetings when we meet other people.

I will never see the Taj again in person which feels sad to me. The holidays bring great joy as well as sadness. We miss those who we love who are no longer here to laugh and enjoy the holidays with us. I am writing this on Christmas Eve, my late father’s birthday – though as I write that I remember how my dad was never late. He would have been 101 this year.

Thank you for reading this and helping me explore the mystery of the holidays! Do you have a favorite snow globe?