I am not a photographer but my camera means the world to the me.

Personally, it has been my solace during times of heartbreak, taking long trips on back roads to find beauty and, perhaps, meaning in the world.

Professionally, it is a tool, like a computer, like a stenographer's pad and a pen.

While it may seem odd to dedicate an anniversary column to a camera, you have to understand this camera was bought with the idea I would be going out on my own. The Nikon D40, now a dinosaur in Nikon's brilliant world of products, has been a workhorse. It has been my friend.

This camera has been with me on some dark personal moments, when I drove back roads and choked back tears on personal losses.

It has been with me on some of the darkest news events and some of the lightest.

It has helped me to see the bad in people, the good in people and the unfathomable events that make up disaster, that make up Mother Nature, that make up life.

Gaston fire

The first rrspin.com spot news photo this camera took was in Gaston, a house fire.

Weldon child's death

This camera has seen a family member distraught over the death of a child in Weldon, a child who died when a gun was discharged by another child because it was not properly secured and out of reach.

Richard Demello

The camera has taken the photo of a man charged in a brutal murder.

Roanoke Rapids tornado

This camera has witnessed the wrath of Mother Nature.

Time capsule opening

On the lighter side, this camera has witnessed the discovery of history at a small, but historic church in Weldon.

Leah Brewer and Elle

This camera has taken the photo of a dog and her owner who are trying to educate the public on the misconceptions of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Mike Clark

This camera has snapped the photo of one of the area's unsung heroes, a man named Mike Clark, who has cooked barbecue and made sandwiches for countless charity events in the community.

James Matthews

This camera has been with a man, James Matthews, whose mission it has been to restore his father's farm to its glory days.

Halifax fireworks

This camera has captured the joy of childhood and parenthood.

This camera, with much work and studying on the topic, has captured the beauty of fireworks, the beauty which was created by the work of selfless volunteers who want to bring a little fun, a little enjoyment to the area.

It has been dropped, the filter nicked. It has been rained on, it is has been out in brutal humidity and it has been out in the coldest of cold and snowy days.

It has been with me when I lost my best friend in the world due to misunderstandings and miscommunication and it has been with me as I've made new friends.

I took photography in college but it never sunk in, it never really does, I believe, until you're in the real world. With this camera I have experimented, adjusted and experimented again and many times, in the intensity of spot news, I have just set it on automatic and let it do its job.

The outcomes have been astounding, disappointing and mediocre.

It works, however, and, with a little learning on my part, sometimes works well.

This little Nikon D40, low in the food chain of the Nikon family, has been more than just a tool. I would dare say, without trying to sound silly, it has been my friend — Lance Martin