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A Tangible Legacy
Midpoint: A Memoir tells the story of your life and shares the struggles and successes you’ve had in building a legacy. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Midpoint: A Memoir is my passion project, and my intention is two-fold. First, I wanted to pause and assess my learnings so far and then apply whatever those were to improve (or at least try to!) the second half of my life. Second, and more importantly, I wanted to leave a tangible legacy to my daughters and show them a side of me that they have not been privy to, since they only see and know me as Mom.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
It was difficult to write about my failures and the wrong choices I’ve made and there were times when I got cold feet and backed out from publication. People sometimes are quick to judge and it took a great deal of courage and guts for me to come to terms with the fact that I can’t always please everyone and that I am not here to.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
When I was starting out in my career, my mentor once told me this: “Do not wait for tomorrow to do the things you can do today.” This advice has not only shaped my work ethic allowing me to maximize productivity at the workplace, it also eventually evolved into a personal mantra that has enriched my life in more ways than one.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
As mentioned earlier, this book was written with my daughters in mind the whole time. If it ends up in other people’s hands, the one takeaway I hope they leave with is the importance and power of stories, because what are we but an accumulation of our experiences? When we bequeath these to our children, they become stories; all together, it becomes our legacy.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Patricia Angeles is at the midpoint of the average human lifespan. Decades of experience, mistakes, love, and loss have led her to contemplate what anyone might when they’ve lived half their life. “What kind of legacy am I leaving behind? What do I want my friends and family to remember after I’m gone? What are the biggest life lessons I can impart while I’m still here?”
Through this collection of personal stories, Patricia attempts to assess her answers to these questions, and perhaps encourage others to do the same. Spanning from her childhood in Manila to her immigration and life in Los Angeles, these stories touch on her youth, her acclimation to American culture, her remarkable career in the world of banking, her thoughts on motherhood, the important people who made her who she is today, and major events that forever changed the trajectory of her life.
A raw, honest, poignant, and at times funny read, Patricia aims to inspire her readers to pursue happiness against all odds and to not settle for a life of mediocrity. Through the power of story, this book ultimately asks: What are we but the accumulation of our experiences?
Midpoint: A Memoir
Since Patricia Angeles was a child she has had great doubts, a lot of creativity, and a great capacity for imagination. Patricia Angeles tells us her story, which begins with a description of her environment and her early interest in books and writing. Then she tells readers about the most influential people in her life, mainly her family, who always supported her. She lived in Manila, Philippines, and after finishing her studies, she emigrated with her family to the United States in search of better opportunities. Here we see her fearlessness in various experiences and jobs, from helping in a clothing store to achieving a great banking career.
Midpoint: A Memoir does more than just recount a dramatic life story. It’s proof that it’s possible to be a successful woman, a great mother, and maintain a willing mind for change. Patricia Angeles is honest in describing that her path through life was not easy. We see it in her anecdotes of youth, maturity, and maternity. However, she teaches readers the value of making their own decisions, celebrating successes, and learning from their mistakes.
Patricia Angeles’ love of reading and writing is evident. The anecdotes are short, varied, engaging, and always convey a lesson. In that aspect, I would have liked a little more description and fuller explanations because I felt the stories sometimes moved quite fast. In general, the book’s formatting is well maintained, with a pleasant presentation and inspiring content. And while this story is appropriate for all audiences, I think a more mature audience will be able to better empathize with and appreciate the immense effort she put out over a lifetime.
Midpoint: A Memoir is perfect for showing people that there are always opportunities for change and growth. Patricia Angeles demonstrates the importance of not giving up and adapting to new opportunities. This is a perfect choice to persuade you to take risks and encourage you to enjoy life. Midpoint: A Memoir is a poignant and inspirational memoir that will motivate you to experience all the things life has to offer.
Pages: 166 | ASIN: B0BJYGDG41
LITERARY TITAN 