Now and Forever "Madre Tierra"

Bessie Roca, MS4

“Madre Tierra”: a two-letter phrase whose context is interchangeable across realms. From the physical red and orange leaves making their presence known to the spiritual connection one has to their personal roots that transcend generations, it is a powerful phrase that makes its mark on anyone’s life. And it is CONSTANT, no matter the framework.

In our lifetime, we have been able to witness its consistency with a pandemic, with our political climate, and with the many lives that have been lost to the unfortunate events that have taken place within the past few years, to include the aftermath. Our one and only “Madre Tierra” has been there to support us, to hold us firm in our beliefs, and to open our eyes to the beauty that is life, despite our circumstances.

“Madre Tierra” is a truth we can hold on to, no matter the scaffold of our lives: it will now and forever be Madre Tierra.

About the Author:

My name is Bessie Roca. I am currently an MS4 at New York Medical College. I am originally from Ecuador and migrated with my lovely mom, dad and brother to the US at the age of 7 - old enough to understand what it meant to move to a whole, NEW country. At the age of 18, I joined the U.S. Air Force to further my education and gain experience, both in the real world and in the medical field. I attained my BS in Psychology during my 4 year enlistment and then attended Columbia University for a post-bacc pre-med program. I have worked as a tutor, medical scribe, EMT, and clinical research coordinator. I started an MS in Nutrition Science at Tufts before starting Medical school in 2019, and now have a beautiful, vivacious 2 year old baby boy named Luka. I am a proud Latina hoping to love on and help others along my life journey, both in medicine and in any capacity God wants to use me. :)