You didn't mention how many miles you actually have, other than the 19k Status Miles. If you have a bunch of points, Elite Status means a better selection of reward travel options plus the convenience of an Elite contact phone service.
I try to keep my E status up for all the "benefits" you mention, plus the (perhaps subjective) easier reward booking and the boarding priority which I really missed with no status.
I would offer that it's worth doing and even worth taking a short MR to do it. You may not be travelling as much as you think but with instant status good through 2010, it would be a shame to end the year only a few miles short.
CB