Here is my friend, Nekisha, waiting in the dentist chair to have her gold tooth removed. Nekisha is 26 years old. She got her gold tooth when she was 12 years old. She has wanted it removed since she was 14.Nekisha is a finalist in a local Gospel Idol competition. She has been competing and winning singing competitions in the St. Louis, Missouri area for years.
And for years judges have been telling her to get her gold tooth removed.
She mentioned this to me.
So I mentioned it to my dentist, Dr. West.
Nekisha is a single mom on welfare with a seventh grade education. She is getting her GED and she has made great changes in her life, joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among them.
Dr. West offered to take out the gold and to provide a cosmetic fix. Steve and Nekisha couldn't have more different backgrounds.
Nekisha and I, for that matter, could not be more different. I am white, grew up in California in an upperclass neighborhood on a golf course. I am a college graduate, a generation older than Nekisha, and well traveled.
Yet, Nekisha and I share a bond that transcends the differences. We share confidences and help each other.
We both love the Lord and share testimonies of Him. We both share the same ideas and values about a lot of things related to living. We are both ambitious and determined women.
We love our children. And we have fun being together. We make each other laugh.
We are friends.
And we rejoice together.
Today Nekisha competed in the American Idol competition; she was pleased with her performance.
She is competing this Saturday in the local Gospel Idol competition, sponsored by Better Family Life.
I think she has a winning smile, don't you?
Thank you Alice, nice to hear from you. Please tell us how you have been able to bridge with others in the Southern states.
Dana
Posted by: Dana King | October 23, 2007 at 05:39 PM
I love this post, especially as a memeber of the church in the Southern Bible Belt. We really all need to look past one another's differences. It's all about love!
Posted by: Alice Gold | October 23, 2007 at 05:33 PM
Wonderful!! I know Nekisha and she is an amazing person!! I am so happy for her and I am rooting for her in the contest.
Posted by: Jaime Young | August 24, 2007 at 12:37 PM
I would like to say that I'm am happy for her. I know how she must feel. I got my gold at 14 and had it removed at 23. Congratulations.
Posted by: Regina | August 23, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Thats my Dad!! I am so happy for Nekisha. Its things like this that make me proud to be a West!!!
Posted by: James West | August 21, 2007 at 12:55 PM