What does Gloria Dump's advice about love mean in Because of Winn Dixie?

In Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie, Gloria tells Opal,

There ain't no way you can hold on to something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it.

In this quote, Gloria is explaining to Opal that sometimes the people and the things we love end up leaving us. She is stressing that when this happens, there is no use trying to make those we love stay. Trying to make someone stay with you who wants to leave is not good for either of you.

However, Gloria is not saying that love is an altogether doomed and useless feeling. In the second part of the quote, she is emphasizing the importance of actively loving who and what we love while we can. Just because someone or something may one day leave us does not mean that we should close ourselves off to love entirely.

This lesson about love is really important for Opal to learn, given what has happened with her mom. Consider how Opal feels frustrated and confused about why her mom left. This talk with Gloria helps her realize that her mom is not coming back, but that does not mean she cannot have love. She has family and friends who love her, and she can now understand the importance of actively appreciating and participating in that love while she has it.

What does Gloria Dump's advice to Opal in Because of Winn-Dixie mean?

What Gloria is telling Opal in Because of Winn-Dixie is that it is not possible to hold onto something—or someone—when that loved one wants to leave, no matter how much love you have and show each other. One person cannot force another person or pet to stay. Gloria continues to say, ”You can only love what you got while you got it.”

In the scene between Gloria and Opal, Gloria makes a direct reference to Winn-Dixie, the stray dog that Opal finds and adopts. Winn-Dixie has been Opal's anchor ever since she moved to this new town where she knew no one. Winn-Dixie has helped Opal meet new people and form friendships and Winn-Dixie has helped Opal fend off her loneliness by being her constant companion. Winn-Dixie is lost and Opal is despondent.

When Gloria tells Opal that you cannot force a loved one to stay, she may be referring directly to Winn-Dixie, but it also refers to Opal’s mother. For reasons that Opal does not understand, her mother has left her and her father. Opal misses her and longs for her return. Gloria’s words let Opal begin to understand that people cannot force loved ones, human loved ones or canine loved ones, to stay if they need to leave even if the reason that they feel they need to leave is unclear.

Gloria encourages Opal to love Winn-Dixie and the people in her life while they are with her. She believes Opal should cherish their time together and remember the time always, even after the loved one leaves.