Well, it’s over. The stock market is officially closed for 2016.

All told, it was a successful year for me. My firm increased its assets under management by a good chunk, and my returns for the year were solid.

My Dividend Growth portfolio absolutely crushed the S&P 500, and I took first place in InvestorPlace’s Best Stocks for 2016 contest with a whopping 53% return in Energy Transfer Equity (ETE).

But as I enjoy this moment, I’m also reminded how fragile all of this can be. I lost two good friends and mentors this year, gentlemen who had a lot of faith in me at a time when no one else did. I will profoundly miss both of them, and I regret that I’ll never be able to repay the debt of gratitude I owe them. My practice would have never gotten off the ground without them.

So while I’m a little deflated this New Year’s Eve, I’m going to celebrate the end of a good year and look forward to the start of another one because I am all too aware that it can all come screeching to a halt tomorrow.

Happy New Year, and may 2017 be your best year yet.

Charles Lewis Sizemore, CFA, is chief investment officer of the investment firm Sizemore Capital Management and the author of the Sizemore Insights blog. To read more of his work, CLICK HERE NOW.

Disclaimers: If I mention a stock favorably, you should assume that I have a position in it, both personally and in client accounts.  This does not, however, automatically mean that you should own it. I am expressing my opinions in this newsletter, not offering individualized financial advice or soliciting you to buy securities.  See full disclaimer here.