My childhood memories are filled with hugs and kisses from both

Hearken, O children of memory, and listen to the tender recollections of Romesh Ranganathan: “My childhood memories are filled with hugs and kisses from both my mum and dad. My mum has a thing about kissing you an odd number of times: if she kisses you once, all good, but if she kisses you twice, then you know another one has to follow and, weirdly, she tends to go for the forehead.” In these words lies the profound simplicity of love expressed through ritual, touch, and attention, a lesson both intimate and timeless. The heart of childhood is nurtured not only by grand gestures but by these small, deliberate acts, the rhythms of affection that leave indelible marks upon the soul.

Consider the power of a kiss, a gesture that transcends words, culture, and time. In the forehead touch, in the repeated embrace, there lies a sacred language—a language that speaks of care, protection, and presence. Ranganathan’s description evokes a truth recognized since the dawn of human experience: the minutiae of parental love, the consistent gestures repeated day by day, build the foundation of a child’s sense of security, worth, and belonging. Even the peculiar counting of kisses, an odd ritual, carries the weight of intention, the quiet wisdom of a parent attuned to the rhythms of nurturing.

In the annals of history, one finds echoes of such intimate ritual. Consider the great Pharaoh Tutankhamun, whose tomb preserves paintings of his mother and caretakers, hands pressed tenderly upon his brow, guiding and comforting him. Though centuries divide us, the essence of love expressed through touch remains constant. These gestures, small yet deliberate, communicate devotion in ways that words alone cannot convey. The forehead, kissed with intention, becomes a symbol of protection, blessing, and enduring care.

Romesh’s memory also illuminates the universality of parental idiosyncrasies, the unique codes of affection that families cultivate. Just as his mother’s odd-numbered kisses signal love and continuity, so too have mothers and fathers across generations expressed devotion in ways peculiar to their hearts. In these nuances lies the quiet poetry of family life: an embrace that lingers, a repeated touch, a playful ritual—all bearing the unspoken message that the child is cherished beyond measure.

These recollections carry a lesson not only for children but for all who seek to understand the power of presence. Love is not measured solely by grand achievements or heroic acts; it is woven into the repetitive rhythms, the gestures performed without fanfare yet full of intent. A kiss, a hug, a hand upon the forehead—these are the tools of legacy, the carriers of emotional inheritance that shape hearts, instill confidence, and create memories that endure far beyond childhood.

Practical wisdom flows from this understanding. Observe your own rituals of affection. Embrace the small gestures—words of encouragement, repeated acts of kindness, consistent attention to those you love. These may appear ordinary, but in their repetition, in their thoughtful expression, lies the architecture of care, a structure strong enough to support a lifetime. Like Ranganathan’s odd-numbered kisses, let your love carry intention, rhythm, and attention to the unique personality of each soul you nurture.

Let generations remember: love is a language written not only in speech but in touch, ritual, and care. From the simplest gestures—forehead kisses, repeated hugs, attentive presence—arises a foundation of trust, warmth, and belonging. Childhood memories, so tenderly etched, guide the soul toward empathy, generosity, and understanding. Romesh Ranganathan’s reflection is a reminder that even the smallest acts, repeated with love and attention, can illuminate a life with enduring light.

Therefore, O seeker of wisdom, cherish the quiet, deliberate expressions of love in your life. Observe and create rituals of care, for they speak a language beyond words, a language that imprints hearts and shapes destinies. In hugs, in kisses, in repeated attention, you craft a legacy invisible yet eternal—a testament that the simplest acts, when performed with intention, are the most powerful expressions of human devotion.