Have you given thought to your death? More specifically, have you thought about what you want to have done upon your death?

These are weighty questions to answer, certainly not ones that a college student could be expected to think about.

Consider this, though: what if you were to die tomorrow? Death is only certain in that it will happen to you, but there’s no way of knowing when, where or how it will occur.

It’s a very morbid thing to think about and it’s extremely unlikely that any student at AU will have to consider it during their time here.

When I was younger, there were a few months when I was consumed with fear over the idea of dying, worrying often about losing my loved ones or ceasing to live myself.

In time, I’ve gotten over it and decided to just live life and handle what’s thrown at me day by day. The idea of dying has never left my mind, but only pops up occasionally and is quickly quelled by thinking of all the great things I have in my life now.

It wasn’t until last week that another bizarre note was added to my thoughts on death when two of my friends began talking about their wills.

Further clarification from them revealed that they had actually drafted their last will and testaments. One of them had his legally notarized by an attorney and included within it directions for his mom and sister on how to take care of themselves after he dies.

The other has his scrawled on a piece of paper, listing in detail how he wants to be prepared in his casket, including being dressed in his favorite clothes, holding his favorite beer and surrounded by his favorite objects. He also wants the post-funeral proceedings to be more of a celebration for all who attend, a happy and positive time after a tragic event.

My immediate thought was that writing one’s will at such an early time is very premature, if not ridiculous.

One of them then described to me the possibility of dying tomorrow. Would I have preparations in place should I die so soon? Would my family be prepared?

I needed to ask them if there would be any possibility of revising their wills later in life. My friend with the notarized will said that he could and would have no problem with anyone else adding to it, if they had the money and inclination to do so.

Later that day, I sat down and tried to write my own will. I attempted to detail what I wanted done after my life is over and my last breath has been drawn.

I couldn’t, though. I just couldn’t bring myself to write my own will now.

I set my pen down and decided to live some more days before trying to write it again.