Gareth O'Callaghan: Grief does not follow five stages — it lasts a lifetime when love is real

A chance encounter on a flight reveals how love, loss and memory shape the lifelong experience of grief

‘Once upon a time I was a grief counsellor. I left because grief is all-consuming. There are no answers to offer or solutions.‘ File picture

Returning on an overnight flight from New York some years ago, I woke to the sound of gentle crying.

A man sitting next to me had covered his face in his hands. He was rocking back and forth sobbing. I thought maybe it was fear of flying.