Toni Prieto:
CLASS OF 1987
Vigor High SchoolClass of 1987
Prichard, AL
Mann Junior High SchoolClass of 1983
Brandon, FL
Franklin Junior High SchoolClass of 1981
Tampa, FL
Williams Elementary SchoolClass of 1980
Tampa, FL
Mango Elementary SchoolClass of 1979
Seffner, FL
Toni's Story
My life has been anything but perfect and while I dont try to predict the future, I dont see any light at the end of the tunnel, its just simply faith. Most people say with me that what you see is what you get, simple, easy to please and helplessly poetic. Some would say that you never have to guess what I'm thinking (probably because I'm always talking). Others say I'm deep and can be too sensitive. By my own admission I am complex to say the least, diverse and high maintenance. My husband says he loves me most for my gentle heart. What is it they say? Often the greatest strength is also the greatest weakness. Saying all this for the world to read isn't an easy step yet here I am tunnel light or not, I hold my head up and press on. I suppose the one thing I would like people to know about me is I AM an optimist. If I'm being honest I'd have to say I dont always walk that talk, I am human and often falter. Yet, no matter what is going wrong, on the inside I hold strong and truly believe that someday somehow, inspite of the panic and the tears that things will eventually get better if only for a little while. I believe things happen for a reason and that we may never know the answer to why but no matter how hard life knocks me down I eventually get back up and my faith remains unchanged. I have a tremendous amount of faith in God and know that Jesus is the only reason I'm still walking and talking.
Life has thrown me a few fast balls and I suppose trust isnt something I have an abundance of when it comes to people. Yet I try not to lose heart, I renew my faith daily, both in God and man and I reach out.
I think I am the happiest and feel the most accomplishment when I am making other people happy. It just feels so good to make someone else feel special, to let them know they matter to someone in this world. I think if more people would think and do more for those around them, without expecting something in return, it could change so many things. While its obvious we should help those that are in need, I think it speaks volumes to be able to push past those that are offensive. I find most of the time those kind of people have grown bitter because somewhere along the way they gave up on their fellow man and started believing nobody cares. I like being the one to knock down the walls and prove them wrong.
I have three beautiful girls. My oldest now married and has a beautiful son. She always keeps me guessing but I counldn't be more proud to call her mine. Four years behind her I have twins who are sixteen this year. It's true, I have homeschooled them all in the past but the twins are in high school now, so my life has drastically changed. My kids are my whole world and have been the focus of my existence for so long its strange to think of spending my days any other way. I will never regret staying home with my kids and spending every moment I could with them, being a Mom is probably the greatest thing I will ever do. There have been plenty of times I wished for a do over in life but if it meant not having the exact same kids I have then I'd just rather not change a thing. I'd do it all over again knowing they were my reward.
I've been married for 20 years now. My husband is a dedicated soldier and has served his time in the middle east. He is incredibly smart, faithful, responsible, affectionate and honest (sometimes brutally so). I never knew a ...Expand for more
man so willing to work so hard to provide for his family. While there are plenty of days I would like to ring his neck because he tends to be so pessimistic I have to admit that to step back and look at his character makes me very proud. Serving under Uncle Sam we have moved thirteen times over the years and seen alot of the amazing scenery this world has to offer. Some people think I'm crazy but when you move you learn to only hold onto the truly important stuff and seeing all sites of this world just keeps you in check as to how small we truly are in the grand scale of things. It's been a good tour and I am grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to share it with him.
Something about turning 40 really makes you take a step back and evaluate your life. As some of you know my life didnt exactly have a smooth take off. All the struggles through the youngest years led to one bad decision after another. I was married before I was even out of high school, much too young to be prepared for the events that quickly unfolded from that. I did finish high school, although I truly believe it was through the sympathy of my teachers considering the circumstances I was in. After I lost my first child, my first marriage ended. I spent the next few years in a state of "comfortably numb." When I was tired of going from one relationship to another (if you can call what I was doing a relationship). I began to clear my head, I got a job and started getting my life together. When I learned I was pregnant my whole world changed. Everything became clear as to what was important. I finally had someone worthy of loving unconditionally. Things sort of just fell into place after that or so it would seem. A month after my daughter was born I was married. It hasn't been perfect, I have made alot of mistakes along the way. I was 25 years old before I decided I was ready to have serious relationship with God. We became actively involved with a local church and two months later I was pregnant with twins. There have been many times where we both wondered if we are going to make it through all the struggles. The last few years have just been a whirlwind. The stresses of life tend to wear you down and somewhere in there we went from being leaders in the church to not attending at all. We had all the usual issues most couples face in a marriage, our kids, our finances, our health and even losing our loved ones but with us it always seems to be to the extreme of every situation. So you scream, you cry, you cuss and then you just breathe. In the quiet moments you begin to put things into perspective and just when you think you can look up again one thing or another sets you back. So we are just living one day at a time trying figure out what's next day to day. While I may be cracked I am not completely broken. I just know you cant give up. Everyday is filled with choices and good choices usually come with good consequences. Right now we have chosen to go back to basics. We have found a nice church here in our new town and feel very at peace there. I think I am going to go back to school now that my kids are in high school and find out who I am to the side of being a wife and a mother. We may struggle along the way but my faith does not waiver. I talk with God daily and I believe He still walks with me. I dont know how this will all unfold but good Lord willing I'll let you know
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