News Photo by Crystal Nelson Alpena Township resident Bob Brilinski is pictured as he stopped by the Alpena Senior Center on Friday with his dog Annie Mae.

ALPENA — Bob Brilinski, 81, of Alpena, on Friday stopped by the Alpena Senior Citizens Center for lunch to go.

Brilinski said his wife, Lila, died in 2019, after 43 years of marriage. He said staff at the Senior Center help look after him now, and he looks forward to seeing the employees and picking up his lunches each day.

While picking up lunch on Friday, his dog Annie Mae riding shotgun, Brilinski paused to answer a few questions from The News.

WHAT HAS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON BEEN LIKE FOR YOU SO FAR?

Oh, it’s been great. I made my Christmas cards out and sent all the money to the grandkids and the kids. It’s been super for me, so far, even though the kids ain’t coming home. I’ll be alone, but that’s OK.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR CHRISTMAS?

I’m going to just be staying home and getting my meal from the Senior Center here. They’re closed on Christmas, but what they’re going to do … in the middle of December, they have a big Christmas dinner. Otherwise, I’m just going to stay home like we always do.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORY?

Being with my wife and having the kids and the grandkids around, because we usually had them for Christmas, and it was just enjoyable. She just loved to cook and she prepared everything. We just had a real good meal. She always said “the more, the merrier,” because she could always get something out of the freezer.

ARE THERE ANY MEMORIES YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKING THIS YEAR?

I’m not making any, but I guess some of my favorite memories would be, when I was a kid, my Grandma Cameron, she always knitted us mittens for Christmas, and that was our Christmas present from her. That will always stick in my mind.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TRADITION?

Just being with the family.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.