25 random things about misery and company

Oh, for cryin’ out loud.

First, a cool fad sweeps Facebook: “25 random things about me...” I have a bunch of fun coming up with 25 things that many people don’t know about me. Then I ask you my friends to do the same.

Next comes the wave of people who can’t believe how much fun they’re having with such a simple thing. And say so. Out loud.

Next, of course, come the “cool kids,” many of them in my chosen profession, to rain on our parade. They tell us how silly we are to enjoy the pleasure of such a simple thing. They examine it from every direction, pulling it apart and eventually proclaiming it a childish waste of time. They tell us they’re too cool to care that much about their friends. That they’re far too busy to take time to learn about the people they know. They look down their crinkled up noses. They huff and puff. They work like hell to make the rest of us feel like dorks.

Well, I won’t. Not this time, dude.

I’m damn tired of your negativity. I’m sick of your condescension and judgment. If you want to live your life in the rough, snickering at things that make other people smile, you go right ahead. You can hang out in your groups of mean girls. You can stifle your own attempts at joy. You can pick on the weak. But be sure to watch your back -- you might be next.

You can have your sarcasm, your high-mindedness, your crappy attitude. You can live in the shadows, curling your lip and letting the slime pool around your feet. You can be too cool for school.

Meanwhile, the rest of us will look for the good in where we are and who we know. We will take joy in what we learn about each other and ourselves. We will take comfort in human connections and revel in simple pleasures. We’ll allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open to friendship and love. We’ll laugh and be hopeful. We’ll deflect your ridicule, and send it right back to you. (We do, however, ask that you stop pulling the legs off of spiders. And kicking puppies.)

You’ve been hurling your snark at us for too long. We’re tired of being bullied for being happy. Go away. And take your friends with you.

Before you laugh at me, look around. There are many, many of us -- 20 million on Facebook alone. In fact, we far outnumber you.

Your time is up. We win.