Shades of Orange on a Hospital Nightshift

The colour orange makes me wonder what is coming next. It’s seen as a transitional colour. It’s a colour of change and the unexpected. If we enter a home decorated in orange, we are surprised. Perhaps orange is underrated.

We see the unexpected daily at the hospital, often wishing we didn’t see what was coming. Whether it’s a bad diagnosis or an emergency waiting area with ‘standing-room only’ left.

Photo by Author

With the start of every shift, we can’t ever depend on a typical average day. The colour orange is also not a typical colour. It isn’t reliable like the colour blue, or solid and earthy as brown and green.

Orange is generally always a surprise, as is each working shift.

We take a little joy from wherever we can. Such as this little gift from my daughter for my lanyard. Sunflowers aren’t quite orange, but they’re beautiful nonetheless.

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We’ll find beauty even in a healthcare setting. I always say we need to find joy wherever we can.

Photo by Author

Although it isn’t something I would consider an anchor colour, perhaps it is a shade of hope as in the fire-orange and reds of the trees turning shades. Maybe orange can even be a colour of healing. Colour psychology suggests orange promotes feelings of optimism and warmth.

Orange can be a warm hug from a loving friend. Much of the art around our hospital displays shades of orange.

Photo by Author

A hint of orange — Photo by Author

One could say the art and plants around the hospital are the highlight of my day.

You are the Highlight of My Day — Photo by Author

Orange can also remind us to exercise caution. I can honestly say that the orange in the following images is somewhat of a lifeline.

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Photo by Author

As is this much… much-needed break in the day… or night.

Photo by Author

The colour orange is never more important than as a reminder of the residential school children’s loss of lives. Too many lives were lost as a result of colonialism in Canada.

“The colour orange has always reminded me of how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared,” ~ Phyllis Webstad.

Phyllis is a residential school survivor. On her first day at a church-led boarding school, she proudly wore a beautiful orange shirt that she lovingly picked out with her grandmother for her first day of school. The school authorities took away her shirt, cut her hair, and stripped her of her proud indigenous roots.

The colour orange is a reminder of the horrific injustices of the families, many of whose children never returned.

My grandmother through marriage was a residential school survivor.

In Canada, September 30th is our National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It’s a day to commemorate all those who suffered and continue to be affected by the residential school act of our country.

Never Forget — Photo by Author

Thank you for joining me on my orange quest.

Please check out JoAnn Ryan and the trip through her version of the colour orange. And yes… I am glad she didn’t say banana!

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This post was previously published on MEDIUM.COM.

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Photo credit: Author