Dear LPG readers,

We are lucky today because the good Lord has provided us with so many things on this earth that we don’t have to pay for. I am talking about those things that have just been put here for us to enjoy. With this thought in mind, I cannot help but reflect that while there are such commodities around, we still often focus on the things that seem out of reach while so many aspects of life are there for us all to enjoy.  

One such thing is colour, even though we often take it for granted. We appear to have so many to choose from, and even though there aren’t many when you consider it, it is one thing the public will have that the government will never find a reason to tax. (I hope that I have not given any officials any ideas!) 

The first colour most mothers see when they look at a newborn is worth mentioning.  Once most of them have been encouraged to take their first breath and start crying, as the blood gets busy rising around their (or should I say our) little bodies, they usually take on this one.  

I want to discuss the oldest colour in the book, which is, as they say, pink.  

Interestingly, we consider pink an optimistic colour because we often talk about being ‘in the pink’ when describing good health. And where would we be without our pinkies? I am now talking about our fingers.  

Ever since I can remember, the news that a potential mother is expecting a girl has triggered sorting out a predominantly pink layette. I remember all the pretty little pink things I bought for my baby girl once her gender was determined, although, by the time she found herself preparing for my granddaughter’s arrival, pink was definitely off the menu.  

My then daughter and son-in-law told the whole expectant family that they wanted their little one to be able to choose what sort of girl she wanted to be without that stereotype being put into the mix, but despite all their efforts to minimise the pink influence in her young life, that now 15-year-old has found a love of pink things all by herself.  Her bedroom is pink, as are many of her non-school clothes, and last year’s Barbie film was not wasted on reinforcing so many young girl’s love of the colour, including hers. 

I don’t remember a similar ‘blue embargo’ being communicated as the rule when her brother was on the way.  Perhaps the fear is that anybody influenced by the colour will have the effeminate side brought out in them. However, while he has the occasional pink tea shirt and pair of socks in his wardrobe, he shows no signs that they have affected any such traits (at least so far).    

Proverbial tradition will always allow us to observe those who see things through rose-coloured glasses, and that rarely conjures up the vision of a red, yellow or orange outlook on life.  When we do, we seldom look at someone who sees any other colour but pink …  That same pink that provokes the pretty, fluffy, sound and sometimes unrealistic qualities that can be seen in everything and though some might question the sense in looking at the world that way, perhaps it would be a better place if we used it a little more often, before letting things be coloured by the other variables that inevitably will creep into any situation.

So, with my rose-coloured glasses on, I want to advocate that we should see the good before learning about the bad.  Let’s all embrace the pinkness of life…

YF, Plumstead

 YF offers us the results of her internet research…

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