http://www.jennifernew.com

I have kids and spend a fair amount of time envisioning their birthdays, days which are as important to me because their births changed me, made me who I am. But this year as I turn forty, I’ve decided to pay special attention to my own birthday as well. I didn’t want to turn forty alone. I wanted this to be a celebration and a time for reflection. Most of all, I wanted to share the experience with other women at a similar point in their lives. I want a community. So I started a blog, 40candles.blogspot.com. All contributors need to be turning forty this year — born in 1966. Visitors to the site, however, are of all ages. It’s proving not only to be a good way to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, but is also a chance for me to spend a moment every week reflecting on who I am now.