About Me: When my daughter was 3 1/2, she assigned everyone animal alter egos. That was when I became a giraffe. Over time the rest of the family was allowed to grow out of these identities (her brother became a delivery truck, and eventually a bus), but for some reason I have remained a giraffe. I don't know why. I don't feel especially giraffe-like, but after several Christmases, birthdays, and Mother's Days, I own a lot of fine giraffe merchandise. My daughter used to refuse to buy me anything non-giraffe-related, but she's lightened up considerably with age. I suppose if I were to tell her tomorrow that I didn't want to be a giraffe anymore, she'd be okay with that. The trouble is, I'd have to reinvent myself, and I don't know what I want to be yet. So for the time being I remain a giraffe. There are worse things to be. (Ask her old playmate, the pig.)