Mr. & Mrs. Burkalter Celebrate 50 Years On Sapphire Street

Hi Everyone!

Well, whaddaya know—I have a special Saturday Edition blog after all. This is a rare treat, don’tcha know!

Today’s blog is special because it is dedicated to a lovely couple whom I’ve known since… actually, to be honest, they’ve known me since before I was born. They’re the eldest yet sweetest couple on Sapphire Street… I’m talking about my Gramma Jewel’s neighbors, Clarence & Mavis Burkalter.

It was exactly 50 years ago today that Mr. & Mrs. Burkalter moved from College Station, Texas reside in Culver City, California. That’s right—the year was October 13, 1962. Also on this very day, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice and actress Kelly Preston were born. I had to point those landmarks out because—well, I’m a bit of a historian as you can tell.  Anyway, Mr. & Mrs. Burkalter became a staple in their neighborhood on the corner of Honeycomb Boulevard and Sapphire Street, where they raised their two children, Gary and Jacqueline, both of whom are married and have children of their own.

I have it on great authority that Mr. & Mrs Burkalter will be honored in a special Sapphire Street Block Party sometime next month, and why not? I mean, after all, they are the official cornerstones of Sapphire Street. In addition to their latest milestone, Mr. & Mrs. Burkalter have also been married for almost 60 years. And on top of that, God has blessed them to see their great-grandchildren.

I admire and respect Mr. & Mrs. Burkalter for so many reasons, but I appreciate them for being such close friends with my Gramma Jewel. I also admire them because, even though they are approaching 90 years old, they are still as sharp as ever, and they are so “with it.” For instance: At my college send-off, Mr. Burkalter said to me, “Now, Tasha, check this out, Yo: I’m proud-a-ya, hear?” And then Mrs. Burkalter followed up with: “Oh, yeah—you fancy, huh, Tasha?”

I was too through after those comments. I got so tickled that I couldn’t help but to laugh.

Well, I better get back to studying, but I close this special edition blog by simply saying: Congratulations on your latest milestone, Mr. & Mrs. Burkalter, and may The Good Lord continue to bless and keep you!

Have a good rest-of-the-weekend, everybody!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha