Well, when I finished off my column last Christmas, in the middle of a scandal over farm sheds heated to the temperature of centre earth, few could have predicted where we find ourselves now.
Politically it has been pretty disastrous, not just locally but globally.
The death of Martin McGuinness this year was in a way the story of our conflict. A man who went from Bloody Sunday to IRA leader and negotiator to shaking hands with the British royalty in a remarkable act of reconciliation.
His statesmanlike funeral, the presence of Arlene Foster, herself a victim of violence, a reminder that we are complex beings, with fluid and evolving lives.
We have no devolved government but we still have peace on the streets, so although it appears to be a failure, when you take the last 20 years into consideration - a relative blink of an eye - we've come so far.
I remain hopeful and optimistic that there can be political movement next year, and not just the token assembly we had, but one with politicians brave enough to make change and pass legislation, which some seem to forget is their actual job.
Donald Trump continues to try and destroy the planet through bungling policies and social division. Sledgehammer politics of the worst possible kind.
Theresa May will be remembered by history as the prime minister who walked Britain's economy off a cliff, as she blindly tries to negotiate her way out of the EU while pretended to be in favour of a Brexit she voted against.
Politics in general around the world has veered off to the right. Kindness and compassion is treated as weakness while heartlessness and sneering at those with nothing is suddenly acceptable.
The refugee crisis may have been pushed off the front pages but that does not mean the problem has been solved.
Earlier this year I was able to see for myself this human disaster, the mass movement of people fleeing war, persecution and devastation in places such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
The refugee camps of Serbia, both official and unofficial, are filled with personal stories of suffering and exploitation at the hands of people traffickers.
I spoke to an unaccompanied 11-year-old who had made his way through borders and over mountains on foot from Afghanistan to the rat infested unofficial settlement in Belgrade called The Barracks. He had the eyes of an old man.
While I was there an incident took place that emphasised the selfishness and obsession to destroy of some, and then I met doctors, teachers, and lawyers giving their time for free to help others, wonderful people who cancel out the negativity of the few.
My heart sang when the Iraqi family I interviewed, who had been stripped naked and beaten by traffickers, messaged me in September to tell me they'd made it to safety in Germany. I wish them every success in their new home.
As we approach Christmas I'm as always reminded how lucky I am to have a large and loving family, a job I love and friends who have supported and led me astray this year in equal measures.
I am also minded to think of those - some of whom I have interviewed and were brave enough to share their story with me this year - who have an empty seat at the table. My family send love to yours.
For those without a permanent roof, for those who have arrived in this strange wee place from elsewhere, for those escaping violence either though war or at the hands of a controlling relationship, I am glad that there are so many champions of human rights out there doing their utmost to help.
Brenda Gough, Joby Fox, Paul McCusker, Margaret McGuckin, Patricia McMurray, the wonderful team from Christian Aid who I was lucky enough to travel to the Balkans with this year, just a fraction of those working towards a better world for all.
For all of you who read this column, who send me your thoughts and feedback, either good or bad, I am grateful and thankful that the tradition of buying and reading newspapers is still so strong here in the north.
Long may it continue, for I can think of nothing I would rather do for a living.
I thank you all and hope you have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season, Nollaig Shona Duit.
