🏖️The Island That Never Left His Heart
Since 2010, Dr. Sargeant has been making regular pilgrimages back to the stunning island nation he calls home. “From the moment I arrive, the ease of navigating through customs sets a welcoming tone,” he shares. But this wasn’t just another vacation – this was We Gatherin’ 2025, and it hit different.
🏡Back to St. Philip: Coming Full Circle
Picture this: You’re seven years old, leaving behind the only home you’ve ever known in Marchfield, St. Philip. Fast forward decades later, and you’re returning not just to Barbados, but to your actual birthplace during the biggest homecoming celebration in recent memory. Talk about coming full circle!
“I still hold vivid memories of my childhood in Marchfield,” Dr. Sargeant reflects. Those early memories became the compass guiding him home.
💛What Tugs at the Heartstrings
Sure, everyone misses the gorgeous weather and beaches (who wouldn’t?), but for Dr. Sargeant, it goes deeper. “What I long for most is the culture—the warmth of the people and the conversations with fellow Barbadians.” It’s not just about the place; it’s about the people who make it home.
⛵Adventures Across the Island
This wasn’t just a “sit on the beach” kind of trip! Dr. Sargeant packed his itinerary with island adventures:
🚢 Catamaran cruise along the west coast with those Instagram-worthy views
🚌 Epic bus tour hitting up St. Andrew, the historic Codrington College in St. John, and the dramatic coastline at Bathsheba in St. Joseph
Each stop added its own flavor to what was already shaping up to be an unforgettable journey.
📱The WhatsApp Group That Started It All
Here’s where it gets really heartwarming. After hearing Prime Minister Mottley’s stirring speech about 2025 being the Year of Return, Dr. Sargeant didn’t just book a solo trip. Nope! He and his siblings created a WhatsApp group to coordinate their return together. Because sometimes the best adventures are family adventures, and sometimes it takes a group chat to bring everyone home.
🎉More Than Just a Trip
We Gatherin’ 2025 wasn’t just about tourism or nostalgia – it was about connection, family, and rediscovering roots. For Dr. Sargeant and countless other Barbadians in the diaspora, it represented something profound: the chance to strengthen ties with extended family and meet relatives they’d never encountered before.
In a world that often feels disconnected, there’s something beautifully simple about a call to come home – and even more beautiful about answering it.
Based on interview responses from We Gatherin’ Interview: Winslow Sargeant Responses, July 18, 2025
