Personal Narrative: Mrs. Niven

It was August of 2010 when I first stepped foot into Mrs. Niven’s English classroom. Like every other sixth grader, I was a bit intimidated and nervous. But I could automatically tell that this was not going to be like the stereotypical elementary English class I had grown accustomed to. My suspicions were confirmed several weeks later, when she spontaneously decided to project an Alfred Hitchcock short film on the board. At the time, I honestly would’ve preferred grammar-work. I had grainy black-and-white nightmares for the next month about serial-killers and strangled nurses. In the year to follow, to scare someone in our class was easy. Simply sneak up behind them, loosely touch the back of their neck, and whisper: “You have such a pretty

“It is a quick step into eternity. I’m prepared for that. However, I think it’s one of the saddest aspects of being human—that people have to lose those they love. In the last few years I have lost my favorite aunt, my mom, and my husband, Colin. Their deaths have taught me the value of loving—enjoying people while you have them.” Enjoying people, especially her family, is very important to Mrs. Niven. “I grew up in a large family, and although we are scattered all over the United States, we are all friends to this day,” she explained. Both her past and present family has taught her how to love, forgive, trust, and hope. Coming hand-in-hand with family is marriage. “I love marriage, and if it’s a good one, it’s all about friendship. I lived the best years of my life with Colin, my best friend. I miss him everyday.” She acknowledged the difficulties that come with marriage, but insisted that it is worth every struggle. “A marriage and a family that follows the Lord and whose members live by His Word can have limitless impact on the

When asked about the perfect day, Mrs. Niven said the following: “The perfect day—without it being Jesus’ return, because that distinction does make a difference—I would spend the day on a huge crystal blue lake. I would be with my entire family (everyone would still be alive) and we would race endlessly across the lake, swim, dive, have a huge barbeque on the shore, and sit around a blazing bonfire. We would stay and sing until the dawn.” When I was assigned this project, I had no idea I would learn so much from it. Not just about Mrs. Niven’s life, but about life in general. Having someone who has experienced life to the fullest—and continues to do so daily—give advice on some of life’s most important matters is truly an unique opportunity. Mrs. Niven is both super hilarious and super wise, which made her the perfect person to interview. She was one of my favorite teachers back in middle school. Now, she is one of my favorite