Book+1-+If+I+Stay+-Theme+Quotes

Mia's Dad: When Teddy was born, Mia's dad was still playing drums in a band. He quit the band and went to get his learner's permit to become a teacher to support his family. He got rid of all of his rocker chlothing including his leather jacket, his prized possesion motorcycle jacket. Mia's dad gave up the band for his family. When he was offered to stay and that tours would be closer to home, Mia's dad said, "I need to grow up and get a good job to support my family and that one day you will understand." He showed love for his family by doing what was best to support them the "right" way and sacrificed what he loved most in doing that.

Adam: When Mia was unconscious, Adam pleaded for her to stay and not give up and die like the rest of her family. He says, "There's no word for what happened to you. There's no good side of it. But there is something to live for. And I'm not talking about me. I know that I am in shock. I know that I haven't digested what happened to your parents, to Teddy....... All that I can think of is how awful it would be for your life to end here, now. I know that your life is awful now, forever. And I'm not dumb enough to think that I can undo that, that anyone can. But I can't wrap my mind around the notion of you not getting old, having kids, going to julliard, getting to play that cello in front of a huge audience, so that they can get the chills the way that I do every time I see you pick up your bow, everytime I see you smile at me." Adam tells her that he will do anything for her. He says, "If you stay, I will do whatever you want. I'll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I will do that too. You can erase me. I would do it. I can lose you like that as along as I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay." Adam shows his love for Mia by doing whatever it takes to have Mia come back. If they broke up and she survives that would be the best decision to make. As a friend, he doesn't want her to leave when she has so much that she can look forward to if she stays.

Mia's grandpa: Gramps tells Mia, " It's okay if you want to go. Everyone wants you to stay. I want you to stay more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. But that is what I want and I can see why it might not want to be what you want. So I just wanted to tell you that I understand if you go. It's okay if you leave us. It's okay if you want to stop fighting." Gramps is the only one who acknowleges what Mia has lost which truely shows how much he loves her. He tells her that if letting go and dying is what she wants, then it is okay. He gave her permission to choose if she wanted to stay or leave. He didn't try to force her to stay, Gramps told her that he wants her to stay more than anthing in the world. He understands why Mia wouldn't stay and that if she doesn't want to deal with the grief of what was lost that she can die.