Loved Ones Gather in a Room Brimming with Blue to Remember Danny Host

Danny Host's favorite book was Mr. Happy, the tale of a character determined to make even the most miserable people happy, just like him.

A copy of the book rested in Danny's casket beside him, along with a Teddy bear and stuffed owl, as dozens of mourners came to pay their respects Tuesday afternoon to the 7-year-old Tinley Park boy who died Saturday morning after a 16-month battle with brain cancer.

Those who visited Danny's wake at Heartland Memorial found themselves surrounded by picture boards covered with images of a grinning, bubbly little boy. Many mourners found themselves smiling through tears.

Draped over a couch in the viewing room was Danny's freshly stitched and washed blue-and-white quilt—one his mother Annette Host said was crafted for him by his godmother. He had kept it with him throughout his life, and Annette mended its many tears and loose seams Monday in advance of the visitation.

Danny's favorite shade of blue blanketed the room in bows and flowers. Yellow blossoms were bundled into the arrangements, in honor of childhood cancer awareness, with white flowers speckled in for hope. A sports fan with a love for soccer and baseball specifically, Danny wore a Chicago Blackhawks jersey in his casket.

At the back of the room, an arts table waited for Danny's friends to pen their favorite memories of him to be bound later for a keepsake for his parents. Danny loved gardening with his mom, and as visitors signed the guest book, they were encouraged to take a paper heart filled with flower seeds to plant happiness on Danny's behalf. Two hours into Tuesday's visitation, few prayer cards remained.

Annette Host requested the funeral procession take Danny past Kimberly Heights and Morton Gingerwood schools before bringing him to his final resting place Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Those who knew Danny best say he cared more about others than himself—even as he suffered through more than a year of 14 chemotherapy treatments, 53 radiation treatments, 18 outpatient visits to the clinic/day hospital, five rides in an ambulance, one ride in a helicopter, hair loss, 25 pokes and blood draws, 21 MRI/CT Scans, a blood transfusion, 14 inpatient stays in the hospital, 62 days worth of TPN (supplemental feedings through port), three transfers to a pediatric intensive care unit, 58 days of physical and occupational therapy, a mobility challenge in which he lost the use of his legs, and several trips to Minnesota for treatment.

Annette Host posted this on the Caring Bridge blog the day before her son's visitation:

After I left the funeral home I felt a certain peacefulness come over me that still has not left me. I know it is Danny holding me up right now like I held him up for so many months. Do not get me wrong I still hurts so much and void will not be filled ever but I do know that with Danny at my side I will be able to take on the days ahead.

Last night as I sat in my room, I repaired Danny's beloved blue and white. For those who do not know that is Danny's blanket that his Godmother made for him and he has had with him his entire life. It had many holes in it so I sewed it up and I will wash it today to place in the casket with him. I have mixed feelings about it because I know Danny is no longer here on Earth but Dan feels that it is important for him to have his blanket. I talked to Danny the whole time I repaired it and even read him a story last night as I have had almost every night of his life. I will continue to read to him because I know he is listening.