Unfortunate, this is the narrative laid out for many of us. Too bad we can't simply offer our weblog address as a resume. Then perhaps they'd see what they're missing by overlooking experience and ability.

Hi there! I was just out in Portland, had a wonderful time. I even house hunted. Are you still thinking about moving there?

How heartbreaking it is to hear of your well-reasoned decision to retire and leave your beloved New York. I can only try to imagine your angst. As one who has endured two "forced relocations" and one who now feel that she knows you, you are absolutely correct: You will endure. And, you'll find your own happiness. For now, we your readers, weep with you. Love, Hugs, and Hope are sent your way from Kansas.

I am so sorry - these things are not fair. But I hope that, now that the decision is made, you get as much good from the path you have chosen as you can. I'm just sorry the one you wanted was not an option in the end. :/

I am so sorry and angry for you. I cannot guage the state of ageism in the US from here in London, only know it is really bad here and it sounds worse there. But if you've been jobhunting for nearly a year your decision doesn't seem unrealistic. I am 50 and I operate from the presumption that when I leave my present job it must be for self-employment because I would not expect to get another salaried position. I left my last job three years ago, before I was pushed, because everyone over forty was being edged out. And this was in a charity (what you'd call a non-profit, I think) not a cut-throat industry. These days there are so many ways of working that don't involve salaried employment and the possibilities for someone of your talents must be vast, but sadly maybe not so vastly lucrative.

'Fear and helplessness in the deepest part of your being' is a horrible thing to be feeling. My heart goes out to you. I wish you all the best and certainly hope to hear in due courseall about where life takes you next.

And, yes, write a book.

What an insane society we've crafted to even consider not hiring a bright, articulate, imaginative woman who also has the benefit of not having hatched yesterday because some -- as my friend Marn calls them, zygote -- decided 64 is old. Come to Texas Ronni, down here women are just getting started at 64. I personally know a woman in her eighties who still barrel races and another who died at 101 when she was thrown from the horse she saddled herself.

Ronni,
Change is hard, always. Even when it is our own choice, it is still difficult to uproot ourselves and replant. But, that process also allows our roots to grow stronger and reach out to new people and places.

"What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well." (The Little Prince)

You will find a new well, Ronni. You are a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman who knows when to bend like the willow in a blustery gale.

Sitting here miles away, I cannot offer more than words of encouragment and acknowledgement of your sorrow, but know that your readers care a great deal for you.

Sallie forth!

Oh Ronni, I gasped in shock when I read of your decision to leave your beloved home in New York. Whatever you decide to do, and wherever you decide to do it, your readers will be with you every step of the way.

Please take some hope from my assurance that not all of us youngsters are so stupidly, horribly ageist.

All best wishes to you, Ronni.

Oh Ronni, I feel so sad for you. You love New York soo and for you to leave will be hard. Transitions are difficult but knowing you, you will open new doors and find new opportunities.

One never knows what is around the corner.

My best to you.

Millie

You have every right to be ultra, extra, super duper crabby! I'm sorry for the way you've been treated.

Ronnie,
I agree with a few other comments here, write a book. Draft a proposal and take it to a publisher, show them your blog. You are the first blog I open in the morning and I know you will have written something that makes me think. You and a few others have inspired me to begin to write again and start my own blog series. Write a book about your experience in media production and I will order it now. You could also propose a series or two to a magazine or newspaper. The series about your mother should be published. I read that and oh, it made me think about my own mom and the future.
Writing and the arts are the professions where the older, the better. I read somewhere that you can't really write a good children's book until you are old enough to be a grandmother.
I am 53, I have been self employed most of my life, I will work doing interesting things until I can't work. I don't have benefits, but I have the freedom to do what I want. You have to be self reliant to be self employed but the freedom is worth it. You can do it. Look at all the devoted readers you have already rooting for you!

Dear Ronni,

It's so very sad to hear of your decision - and to be forced to leave the beautiful home in NY that you love so much. It is a difficult time of change but please don't forsake the future.

One of the reasons I retired after 32 years with the US gov (most of those years with one agency), was the creeping feeling the last 6 years at Wash DC (where I had transferred to from Arizona) that I no longer had the respect and authority that my long experience had always given me. The 30-somethings were taking over and I do think now that my knowledge and experience were discounted because I was in my 50s, one of the "oldsters". Maybe I told too many "war stories" of the old days. But reading your posts has convinced me that yes, I was experiencing age discrimination in a suttle way, for as my years piled up, so my influence declined. After having had so many years outside of DC where I was so respected and given so much responsibility, to be slowly reduced to an "oldster" with no influence, working for a 30-something -- that was hard to take. I'm sure this was a major reason for me to retire as soon as I was eligible.

But a new and different but challenging life awaits in retirement...where I can find venues where my work and experience has worth, and the same is true for you. I'm moving back to Calif in a week - I don't know what life awaits me there, but looking forward to building a new one.

And on that note, I better get back to packing....

Take care and best wishes,
Melinda

No, your retirement is when YOU say it is. I mean, when you move, write a book based on this blog. Get out and raise Hell about age discrimination. I hear what you're saying about fear, but the THEY that are forcing retirement and are discriminating against us need a kick in the pants!

Write - I agree with the above posts. You write well - you have an audience already made. I'd also look at some periodicals and either write some articles or toy with the idea of a column. There are many doors for you yet to open.

Oh Ronni, I'm so sorry to hear that you will have to leave your beloved home. What kind of crazy society do we live in when you work all your life to gain experience and then when you are at an age where that experience can be consolidated and can provide real benefits for an employer, you are turned away. I agree, though, that yuo shodul look at starting a writing project - either a magazine or possibly a book. How about a compilation of contributions from TGB and the fine older bloggers you feature in your sidebar? There is something similar being done by the food bloggers, so why not??

I'll be thinking of you.

When I saw this article (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15235650-1248,00.html) about age discrimination when applying for a job I thought I'd post it as a comment here.

Ronni,

You are stepping into a whole new world with this decision. I have been reading your weblog for some time now and failed to realize that our paths were so different. Now, I truly understand the depths of your pain.

Having made the same transition several years ago, I can only offer you the assurance that there is life in the hinterlands where talented people of great culture and greater age have found places to gather and create anew.

By creating anew, I do not mean macrame or decoupage. I see people of my age (70+) launching businesses, writing and PUBLISHING! and having a hell of a time networking with other talented people of all ages.

When you write your books, you will find plenty of support and assistance is waiting for you.

I will have a section about ageism in my next book, "Who's in Charge?" and you have been the inspiration. Keep those marvelous posts coming!

I came across you blog in a web search regarding the exact topic of your rant: ageism in the workplace. I am researching this topic for a masters degree but it is more personal than that. I, too, was the victim of ageism by the state police in new york. Sad thing is, that I, and my generation, are 10 times the Investigators that our younger replacements are. It appears that experience and work ethic matter little to the bureaucracy. I hope your relocation went well. I am presently working to free an innocent man from prison (Martin Tankleff) which utilizes my investigative skills in the exact opposite way I did when "on the job" which was putting guilty guys in prison. I still feel frustrated and fearful of finding employment, so I know how you feel. I got involved in politics, as well, to fight for our generation of "baby boomers" who not only don't want to retire but financially can't retire. Don't quit! Surrender! Let go and let God!