When my wife died at 39, I raised our daughter alone. My parenting style is 'whatever gets us through the day.'

• Peter Danes, 43, was widowed in 2016 when his wife died of cancer.
• He has raised their daughter, now 12, alone. She was 4 when her mother died.
• The dad said he made mistakes, such as buying her too many things, but making her feel safe was key.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Peter Danes. It has been edited for length and clarity.

My wife, Alison, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in 2012 — the same year she gave birth to our daughter, Annabel.

She died four years later at 39, just six months after our wedding when Annabel served as our little bridesmaid.