I don’t know how many times I have said I wished this year was over.

To be frank, it has almost been my annus horribilis.

I had had a wonderful Christmas and New Year in New Zealand spending a rare Christmas with both my kids under the same roof, never mind in the same country.

I spent time in my old hometown and at the head office of the Otago Daily Times, the paper I worked for, and even discovered that my old job was available.

That holiday was a definite highlight.

From then on, it’s been a bit different.

Coming back here was unsettling. I didn’t know where I wanted to be.

Both my husband and I have suffered ill health.

For a while I did not know if I would or even could continue to work.

The summer was beautiful and being able to convalesce in strong sunshine was great. I even had off-white legs for a while instead of the blinding white I usually display. That cheered us all up a bit.

Then I heard that a very dear friend had died suddenly in New Zealand. I was so glad I had spent time with her and had a wonderful memory of her whole family being together to share time with me, but her death hit me hard.

My husband’s much-loved brother died, and he also lost his two faithful companions, the dogs that he walked daily. Frankly, it’s been awful. Now that we are at the end, however, I am starting to re-evaluate.

The fact is that 2019 is only a couple of days away. We’ve been through a lot, but we did come through it. We’re still here and ready to face the new year.

Anyway, it is essential we survive next year because my son and daughter-in-law are coming to visit from New Zealand in 2020. I can’t wait!

I am about as far from Pollyanna as you can get. I moan about the weather, about the pain in my knee (waiting for a new one), world politics and my husband’s apparent inability to shut a door. To put it as is New Zealand slang crudest, I would moan if my bum was on fire!

Ok, that’s my New Year resolution. I am going to find the positive in all situations. I may have to give up this column because if I couldn’t moan, what would I write about?

No! That’s negative. Expect future columns to be as blinding as my legs – not through the white but through the dazzling sunshine of hope that will pour onto the page from my oh, so positive mind.

If you can’t stand the thought, don’t worry too much.

I made that a New Year resolution and how have those worked out for me in the past. Put it this way, I have lost entire cities in weight, but you may have noticed I am still - shall we say - on the plump side.

Actually, that was quite positive. I’m getting the hang of this. Last year I would have said fat or obese.

I will quit while I am ahead and just wish you all a wonderful 2019.