The Inspiration Behind Our Mission
Carrie Cseko was a mother to two children, Michael Cseko, and myself Brittaney Ratzlaff. Our mom was a single mom with an exhausting job cleaning homes. She made dinner every night, held us tight when we were scared, loved us extra when we needed it the most, and always put us first before herself; now that's a perfect mother. From an early age, our minds were already molded with the knowledge that there were so many people in the world that didn't have as much as us; even in times when we were struggling to make ends meet. She taught us that giving was way better than receiving and that God always had a plan for the things he did. Every step of her life, including the struggles, was another lesson. Our mother taught us the lesson that things did not matter as much as helping others or being with each other. She taught us to see not just the silver lining in life, but to look within and find the good in every situation and every person.
She taught us to see not just the silver lining in life, but to look within and find the good in every situation and every person.
Carrie reached out anywhere she could to help anyone in need. She was truly the kind of person who would take her coat off to give it to someone who needed it, give you the last dollar in her wallet, or bake you the last thing in the pantry. She was a loving daughter to Muriel and Joseph Cseko, always ensuring that her elderly parents were never in need, and an older protective sister to Jennifer Burke and Joseph Cseko Jr. She taught us that you should always help everyone you meet because you truly may be the only one who does.
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You really never believe domestic violence and murder will ever happen to your own family; let alone your own mother.
But on December 7th, 2010, our families lives changed forever. Domestic violence crept into our family and changed our lives forever. My mother was murdered and our lives were turned upside down. Two children without a mother, parents without a daughter, and a brother and sister without their sibling. My world went black for a while and I couldn't tell you about much of anything that happened for the first six months. What I can tell you is that years and years later some days are still that same blackness, but I have found that in helping others the blackness fades. |
The easy thing to do would be to call the world all bad; to say that I give up on the things she has taught me in this life about compassion, goodness of the world, kindness, and helping others. The easy way out would have been to condemn the world for what it is on the outer shell and that is hatred, murder, sadness, and what feels like no hope for a future. One of my mothers favorite poems was the famous poem by Robert Frost "The Road Not Taken". I reflect back on this poem and think about the time spent looking at the paths. I chose to pick the path that she would have chosen, the path less traveled. The one that is taken by so few and that is to see the world for what it is on the inside. On the inside, the world is full of goodness, love, and kindness; if you just get past that first layer! |
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In December 2011, Carrie On began as a small Christmas sponsorship program as a way to heal my own hurt and to help those affected by domestic violence, help single mothers, to just help others like my mom always did. Throughout the last year, Carrie On has exploded into amazing things! I have so many other plans and dreams for Carrie On that I know my mom would love and be so proud to be a part of. I hope that you are inspired by Carrie On and feel compelled to help our mission, or compelled to bless others on your own. When you think that someone should help someone, fix something, or something should be done just remember you are someone and you can do something!
and you can do something!
Be inspired and Carrie On.