The Meaning of Life (30 minutes)

Day one of junior year, third period, AP English, you asked a class full of students the daunting question: What is the meaning of life? You have thirty minutes to answer the prompt, do not think, just write. Intimidated, all students begin to furiously write on their sheets of paper attempting to answer the unanswerable question. Lead breaking upon striking the surface, erasers shredding the paper as each student attempts not to fail the first test. Upon completion, the essays were collected and immediately read aloud and torn apart in front of the class. We were made to feel like we were idiots, however it was your way of saying that we could be so much more. Reflecting on that time, I do not remember what I wrote down in that 30 minutes, but it is clear now the affect of taking your class has had on my life.

In the nine years since I have taken your class, my definition of the meaning of life has undoubtedly changed. If I was forced to give my definition, I would struggle today as much as I did nine years ago. The meaning of life differs for each person as each person's definition is molded and created by their own life experiences. The meaning of life is ever changing. Once you think you know the definition, something happens that changes your point of view. That's just life. Nothing is ever constant.

I guess the ambiguity in the meaning of life is the definition in itself. It is for us to figure out as we traverse through. It is also the ambiguity that gives life its excitement.

In your passing, I decided to attempt your first assignment again. I decided to try to define the meaning of life in 30 minutes. This was a nice way to reflect on the affect you have had on my life as well as do some self-reflection. This took longer than 30 minutes, however what I had written in 30 minutes would not have done you any justice. Thank you for being the best AP English teacher a person could have asked for. Thank you for the laughs, lessons, fears, stress, and support throughout the years. Thank you for asking me what the meaning of life is.

RIP Mr. Braitsch
– Graduate, Class of 2012