Rituals, Al decided, were a lot like numbers; they offered comforting solidity
in the otherwise chaotic floodtide of life. But it was more than that. A ritual was
a way to hold time—not freezing it, rather the opposite, warming it through the
touch of your imagination.
What does "they offered comforting solidity
in the otherwise chaotic floodtide of life." Mean?

Question

Answer

The rituals were known; expected; could be counted on. They created, for him, something he could be sure of; a consistent thing in his life.