I agree with you. The recession of 2008 found me without being in my profession as a Librarian. All the resumes in transition were in limbo due to the recession. As a librarian, you usually go from one position to another so without being in one, my career ended abruptly at forty-nine. Being in the South, from the North, over-educated more than many encountered on the other side of the desk, I could not find a typing or receptionist at the minimum with a Master's Degree. Add-in is not what you know, but who you know and let's just say that early retirement and some very lean years left me stranded in a place not my home as I came to it via an employment position. I substitute taught for a while until doing so resulted in my being stolen from, slapped, (by students) and finally someone damaged my vehicle ( a fellow substitute who did not leave even a note) while substituting for one school. I ended up having to live in affordable housing until I could get back on my feet. I never found another position in my profession or otherwise. Now, in my 60s, I find that even with all the ills of age, I am living my best life now. No regrets. Things do happen for a reason. So, there are so many new ways to earn a living as a result of the pandemic. I see plenty of people picking up food from McDonald's to high-end restaurants, Door Dash, Walmart, and other grocery stores offer jobs in delivering if one has a vehicle and maybe it can be written off on taxes. These new sources of income may depend more on your availability and vehicle than gray strands and wrinkles. If one wants to be employed there may not be the old excuses handy. It just takes thinking outside the box and the determination of those who are old enough to know that no or not now may just mean finding, waiting, and being persistent in the search to become employed.

Hi Sally 12345
Thanks for your comments and support! Hope you are doing well. I do do some volunteer work that is helpful. I volunteer in receiving at a not-for-profit thrift shop twice a week, and I'm part of a twice-weekly walking group. We go for an hour walk each time. And I have an incredibly, supportive wife. Getting older is such strange thing. Although I'm physically 64, I sure don't feel that old. At least I know the answer to Paul McCartney's question, "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?" My wife needs me (and vice-versa) and we help feed each other. I'm a life-long HSP, so I'm thinking and praying for anyone else with depression and/or anxiety who reads this. We weren't able to have kids, but at least we have a strong marriage. I think of those who are single, either divorced or never married. You are not "inferior" to anyone else. Try to remember that it's what's inside and not outside us that counts the most. There's always someone who has "more" than us - be it more money, or a spouse, or kids, or a great job, or better looks/health, etc. I've played the compare/regret game for most of my adult life, and I've gradually learned that I'm only hurting myself. I only have to think about the latest of what's happened in Israel/Gaza Strip and Ukraine to realize how incredibly blessed I am. It sure is a wake-up call from the "Poor Me's." 🙂