A Piece of Me, A Piece of Home

This piece is different from anything I’ve written before. It’s more personal, more real, and rooted in my story. I’ve been thinking a lot about wanting to share more of myself, not just what I do, but where I come from and what shapes my work. This feels like the beginning of that, and I’m ready to start telling my story in a more honest way.

March, Missed Moments & Memories of Montserrat

As March comes to an end, I’ve found myself reflecting more than usual. This month didn’t go the way I had hoped. Instead of being out, creating, and enjoying life, I was unwell and spent time in hospital here in the UK. It’s been one of those periods that forces you to slow down whether you’re ready to or not.

And in that stillness, my mind kept traveling home.

I’m from Montserrat, a small island in the West Indies, often called the “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean” because of its Irish heritage. It’s one of the few places in the world where Irish culture and Caribbean culture blend so naturally, and it shows most beautifully in March

Montserrat is actually the only country outside of Ireland that celebrates St Patrick’s Day as a national holiday. But it’s not just a day, it’s a whole week of celebration, culture, and history. St Patrick’s Week on the island is something special. There are vibrant events, music, and community gatherings that bring everyone together. On the actual day, the island comes alive in a way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it. People dress in national wear, the colours, the pride, the energy, it’s all unmatched.

And the food… especially goat water, our national dish. Despite the name, it’s actually a rich, flavourful goat stew, packed with spices and slow-cooked to perfection. It’s something that instantly feels like home.

This year, instead of being surrounded by all of that, I was in a hospital bed wishing I was there. Watching from afar, remembering what it feels like rather than living it. That’s been one of the hardest parts of this month.

Thinking about Montserrat always brings me back to its strength too. The island carries a powerful history, especially shaped by the Soufrière Hills volcano, which is still active today. It dramatically changed the landscape and lives of so many people. I remember the eruption in 2010, it’s one of those moments that stays with you.

Because of the volcanic activity, parts of the island remain part of an exclusion zone, and the buried capital city, Plymouth, is often referred to as a modern-day Pompeii of the Caribbean. There’s something both haunting and fascinating about that, a reminder of nature’s power, but also of resilience.

Despite everything, Montserrat continues to stand strong. It’s known for its black sand beaches, its lush green hills, and its tight-knit community where everyone feels like family. It’s also one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, with a slower pace of life that makes you appreciate the simple things.

Being away from home during such an important time has made me realise just how much those moments matter. The celebrations, the culture, the connection, they’re not just events, they’re part of my identity.

This was St Patrick’s Day at home in Montserrat, my dad in his national wear hugging my mum at the feast, a moment I captured that means even more to me now.

March didn’t look how I expected it to, but it reminded me of where I come from, what I carry with me, and what I’m looking forward to getting back to.

Next time, I won’t be watching from a distance.

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