Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
RicochetFest: A Toast to Mama Toad
So, I want to toast a Toad! Yes, that would be Mama Toad. She has six tadpoles (!), runs her own business, plays tennis (and wins), grows vegetables, shares her wisdom on Ricochet with us, and always has kind words for many of us.
She is a wordsmith extraordinaire who sees beauty and wisdom everywhere, even in illness and weeds. On neglecting her garden due to illness, she writes poetry about Sunflowers:
Life is not predictable. Some of the things I thought I wanted very much have turned out to be worthless, and some things that seemed like burdens have turned out to be unexpected blessings.
Despite her busy schedule, she finds time, with her tadpoles, to be a pro-life activist. And she does it with grace and humility:
In New York City in 2010, a baby had a 41 percent chance of being aborted, the highest rate in the nation. In some zip codes within NYC, abortion rates were higher than live birth rates.
Tomorrow is “Lobby for Life Day” in New York’s capital. The Toads will be there, sans Papa Toad, to annoy our elected representatives. Please pray for us.
No description of Mama Toad would be complete without discussing her faith. She is a devout Catholic, and finds time to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick — and to teach us a thing or two:
Today is the World Day of Prayer for the Sick, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, whom Catholics believe appeared to the uneducated, poor peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes, France, on this date in 1858. Today, pilgrims from all over the world gather to experience the healing God offers in this holy place.
This morning at Holy Mass, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, which filled me with a sense of peace and love. This sacrament involves prayer and anointing with sacred oils and salts. It grants forgiveness of sins, and spiritual and bodily healing.
Here is a link to the live webcam from Lourdes, where thousands are gathered to celebrate this feast today.
She sends fifteen year olds to college?
She embodies hope. Where does she find the time to do all the things she does?
I have been fishing most days since that first day I caught the fish. I’ve had a number of worms stolen (you can hear the fish laughing at you when you pull in your line, can’t you?) and last night nearly hooked something large, but I haven’t landed one.
So why do I keep fishing? The next cast, I feel sure, will land me the big one. Right?
And I have it on good authority that she is a climber.
When I grow up, I want to be Mama Toad. It is always a good day when Mama Toad comments on one of my post. Worth the price of admission, and more.
Mama Toad is awesome!
And She has time for Ricochet.
She is a Favorite.
Very nice toast; but I had to chuckle out loud at the line “kind words for many of us.” I had a funny image in my head of me with a Charlie Brown expression on my face, looking at a post titled “Ryan is a dope.” Well, kind words for many of us… Not all of us, but a great many. ;)
Loves me some Mama Toad
Mama Toad has been wonderful on this site and I’m sure, wherever she goes in real life. If I’ve ever tangled with you in print, MT, I admit it now: I was wrong about whatever the heck it was. We all admire your grace and strength. As the oldest of six boys, it took me no time at all to deduce that you are a fellow “rosary rattler”! Here’s to Mama Toad.
Courteous and deserved but pointless.
A woman who knows her own strength and achievements, let it be attacks by critics or plaudits by friends what does it matter? She is raising a family well, this is a true achievement and she knows this.
Critics are gnats and what is praise here compared to what her family bestows upon her?
Wow. Thank you.
Roberto, it’s ok, I don’t mind too much…
Barkha, you know that I want to be you when I grow up, right? I’d settle for being reincarnated as your daughter or grandbaby, though…
And I hate to say it, but I have a big project I need to finish this weekend, a journal for an annual Respect Life dinner.
Am I a bad person if I can’t take my turn now? Forgive me!
Allow me to join the chorus. You’re awesome Mama T! Have a wonderful day!
And one other minor miracle to add, if I am not mistaken: Mama Toad and Papa Toad’s marriage literally entwines Judeo-Christian beliefs. Am I right, Mama Toad? I believe you are Catholic and Papa Toad is an observant Jew?
Bless you both and l’chaim!
Papa Toad isn’t exactly unobservant, but he does not attend any congregation. He mostly goes to Mass, if not weekly, and we celebrate most Jewish holy days, although it’s been a while since he went to temple.
He’s hard to categorize perhaps…
Question: does Mama Toad have one of these?
That’s not a toad, it’s a horny toad!
Mama Toad is, indeed, awesome!
So glad I found my way over here. Yes, an awesome wife, mom and crusader.