It’s always hard to lose your mother. Always. If you loved her, if you hated her. If she smothered you, if she ignored you. It doesn’t matter. She’s your mother. Your mother. That’s just a very tough bond to break.
-- Jesse (Chapter 20 paragraph 53)

Importance: At a meeting, Jesse explains his reason for moving into the building. It was to be with his mother as she dies. He explains that breaking a bond with one's mother is extraordinarily difficult, no matter the situation. His statement is very true, and it makes Grace cry. This makes the others realize the difficulty of Grace's situation with her mother. Also, it forces the others to reflect on their own lives..

Grace changed everything, didn’t she?
-- Mrs. Hinman (Chapter 23 paragraph 145)

Importance: Paying a visit to Billy about Grace's upcoming dance performance, Mrs. Hinman and Billy speak about the way things have changed and how everyone has become friends. It...