I'll be leaving my mark like initials carved into an old oak tree

Impermanence is an interesting idea for humankind. Most people continuously search for a way to truly achieve immortality whether it be literal or figurative. Utapishtim makes the connection between mortality and human kind and says to Gilgamesh that "there is no permanence", suggesting that immortality cannot ever be obtained. However, although physically immortality may not be possible, humans have found ways to remain a part of society for generations after their physical death. One way in which humans have achieved immortality is through the act of writing. By writing important events down, it is creating a piece of history that is able to be passed down generation after generation. This form of immortality keeps names alive and makes significant events able to be relived even after a mass amount of time has passed.
It is quite interesting that although throughout the epic Gilgamesh ultimately fails in his mission to achieve immortality, his legend continues to live on for thousands of years. Gilgamesh actually did achieve his goal of immortality, however not in the exact way he would have liked.
Additionally, humans battle with the quest for immortality by making their aging appearance seem much younger. The current generation has an obsession with looking young,; even when one is eighty years old. Humans cannot seem to part with their glowing youth, and tend to apply cosmetics or spend thousands of dollars on plastic surgery to look the best that money can buy. This form of immortality is superficial and interferes with the natural aging process. Since humanity cannot control their immortality, they tend to grab onto small insignificant pieces of human life that they ultimately can control, such as appearance.
I think that although people do deal with the concept of death, it is not a topic that can fully be understood until it occurs close by. People choose to interpret life as a gift, and something that is worth living because not everyone is as fortunate in the power of free living. I think it is also important to note that humans also seem to appreciate life more when a tragedy strikes, and when there is only a thread stringing together life and death. Situations such as car accidents, disease, and natural disasters make us truly question the importance of life. It is in these frightful moments that I think humans understand the significance of one life. The true meaning is to accomplish as much as possible during our short lifespan. If the world stopped turning once death was discovered, there would be no hope for humanity. There would be no one working towards any goal and nothing would get accomplished. I think people deal with death by taking every moment in their lives and making it count; maybe through volunteering or careers or children, or maybe not. Each situation and person is different, and what living is to them may not be what living is to someone else.
     Humans across the world also use religion to desribe an afterlife that leads the deceased through eternal life. This can be seen in christanity in the form of heaven or hell, depending on ohw one acted on earth. Although no one knows for sure whether this spiritual afterlife trult exists, it can be enough motivation to jumpstart people into making their lives count so that they do not end up dealing with Satan's wrath for all of eternity.