It's a logical response to knowing that your suffering will be over. Have you ever ordered something you really want, and you count days and simply do other things to knowingly distract yourself and pass the time until it arrives?
It's like that, likely.
Perhaps however, there is also a certain mental preparation taking place for what is to come after one's own passing. I know for sure that the thought of what comes after, if anything at all, would certainly be all I am thinking about, approaching my desired date. In such circumstances, any and all aspects of daily life would pale and seem insignificant in comparison.
