Learning and Living Thru Grief with Brett Danko

We are so inspired by and grateful for the many people willing to share their middlescence journey with us. We are humbled and amazed at their courage and willingness to open up and share their personal experiences, dreams and fears.

As we continue with this season’s theme of grief – we are especially grateful to our next guest. Brett Danko lost his beloved wife, Dawn, last March. She was 55 and had been fighting cancer for several years. Brett’s middlescence journey has been filled with what for many of us is our absolute worst nightmare.

Brett’s ability to be “an open book” and thoughtfully and stoically detail his last few years is a testament to his strength of character along with his innate abilities as an amazing teacher. 

Take a deep breath, then listen and learn as we discuss Brett’s experience of grief and loss that touches upon a wide range of topics including:

• • The importance of not holding emotions back and having those conversations where you tell the people you love how you feel;
  • The impact and difficulties respective to a quick death versus a long and painful illness;
  • The necessity of treating the people you love with kindness every day;
  • How it is never too late to create an emotional link with people;
  • Remembering that success is ultimately having people that love and care about you;
  • Why middlescence is the time to be a little selfish and to do the things you want to do with the people you want to be with;
  • The value of spending time with people who are going through a difficult situation regardless of whether that situation is permanent or not;
  • The idea of an emotional bucket that you control who fills and empties it;
  • Providing continued support to people in grief by reaching out via text, phone or an offer to come by AFTER the first 3 months;
  • The decision to create and then fulfill your legacy.