Prejudice

Dad introduced a new concept to me that I had heard about here and there but never really thought about too much. He is trying to start a new program at his work where he gives back some of his earnings from every transaction to a charity like Poured Out, ChadTough, etc. I thought it was a good idea when I heard more about it, not only because it's a nice thing to do and a way to honor you, but also to make him stand out from the many mortgage companies.
   Initially, Concord was on board and Dad was meeting with different realtors about it. However, Dad's manager got a call from a realtor who was unhappy about the program and said they weren't going to do business with NOIC in the future because of it. Some of the reasoning behind it was because death is "uncomfortable" which Rob (Dad's manager) agreed with. I thought about that one for a long time. Is it uncomfortable just in the fact that it happened to us or talking about it? We didn't choose this to happen. We don't like it either. We can't do anything about it.
    I guess I can understand why they asked Dad to not include the "haydenstrongforever" hashtag on his work emails. They probably don't want to be associated with anything, like if he posted a Christian saying or something or something political. But they were focused on how the whole situation has negative connotations. Yes, death is negative. Sorry. I guess I just don't know even what it is I'm trying to figure out.
   It feels like discrimination or something. That somebody would not do a mortgage with Dad because it's uncomfortable for them knowing that you died or something. It's hard for me to comprehend that, especially on this side of the death. I know I probably felt uncomfortable when other people lost children, like the Ledfords and the Brenners, like I didn't know them well enough to know what to say right away. I think that's different though. I don't think I would have shunned them and not want to do business with them if that was an option. I don't know.
   It just made me think of when we go anywhere, if people feel awkward around us or think it's weird if we laugh at something or smile, etc. What are we supposed to do though? Not do anything? Not go anywhere? Not live anymore? Believe me, there are days when I would rather not do anything, and to tell the truth, if it weren't for Hope and Carter, I probably wouldn't. I just hope it's not dishonoring to you. I know you wouldn't think so. You would want us to go on.
  It will be interesting to discuss this in the group at Ele's Place tonight. The bottom line is, we can't control other's opinions. I admit that sometimes Dad goes overboard on Facebook when he's feeling really sad about you and posts lots of videos and old pictures, but I guess if people don't want to see that, they can unfriend him or something. I don't know. It's just a whole new weird aspect on everything. I will keep you posted. Love you!