Lois’s answer to “Hello, I discovered your books 6 months ago, at a much-needed time. Thank you so very much! Whil…” > Likes and Comments

Thank you so much for your response! That was how I thought/felt about how things developed, but as it isn't directly addressed in the book there is room for interpretation.
I am really resonating to the theme of new challenges, failures and losses being (as Cordelia might say) a test, or a gift ... that we can muster up the courage (or determination to not give up) and that we will find other good things - different, but also exciting - for who we are becoming. Good things await, even if one is older than 30 years old!
For me, your stories and characters are life-giving, and have reminded me to take time to delight and find joy in the friendships, family, and gifts we have.
Now that I am almost 50, it seems that I am looking for these explorations of what it means to get older, how to integrate the new challenges and opportunities and keep moving forward ("you go on") and - dare I think - have an interesting and exciting life at an older stage. (Now that I am looking for it, perhaps I will find more stories that feed this interest of continuing development of "older" characters).
It is absolutely wonderful to have Cordelia, Alys, Simon, Aral, Ekaterin, Miles, Mark, Ivan, Duv ... well, pretty much everyone ... to spend time with. On one hand, I wish I had discovered your books years ago - on the other hand, perhaps I discovered them just when I needed to.
Thank you for being so kind and gracious as to answer questions here :)

If you have only read LMB's Barrayar stories and are interested in a book that deals with issues relating to aging, I suggest the World of the Five Gods books. Curse of Chalion's main POV character is a middle aged male who builds a new life and Pladian of Souls a middle aged female who does likewise.

Thank you! I have been thinking of where to go next, and I definitely want to explore more from Lois. My problem is that I get really really absorbed into the great books (which the Barrayar stories definitely are, at least for me) and I am not so great at keeping the rest of life functioning when I am in the zone (you know, sleeping, making food, etc.) So, I need to be ready! Your comment helps to set me up for my next adventure, even if I will have to wait a few months to be in the right place to jump in. :)