"I've only seen the Orthodox and Catholic differences as a different flavors of salt (yep, salt tastes differently around the world depending on where it comes from)."
Indeed this is true but beyond the "flavor", there are differences in discipline which have lead to some differences in our understanding of the Mysteries on a practical, if not theological, level.
By the way, your tagline is one of the truest statements I've ever seen. I remember many years ago when our youngest was born with Down Syndrome, a very dear friend from my childhood, a Roman priest, told my wife as we both were wallowing in despair and confusion, that a mother's love and prayers would conquer any hardship. He was so very right!