ELED 3226 - Multigenre Project

Multi-genre Project:

The Batalis Family

By: Mary Batalis

An Obstacle For Our Family

I still remember that night just like it was yesterday. The biggest moment of realization for my new outlook on life, was the day my dad and I decided to go with my mom to her cancer patient and survivor meeting with a support group that she had become a part of through her disease. That night was a meeting for the members and their family members. I was a little nervous, not knowing what to expect. That cool fall night, I walked beside my parents into the business building to the fourth floor. When we entered the room, I could not help but stare at the women who still had their wigs on or their patterned scarves, and only pictured my mom in a similar scarf months ago. We sat down in a circle facing each other as the leader began talking about people’s experiences. At the end of the talk, we went around in a circle and the caregivers (the family members) were asked to say something about their experience through it all. My mom whispered to me that it was okay if I didn’t want to say anything because I was the youngest there and she knows how afraid I am of public speaking. When it came my turn to talk, I hesitated but decided to anyways. I described the day that she told me she had it and how immediately I did not want to leave her side. I explained how that night she told me, I told her that I was not going to my friends sleepover and how I was just going to stay home instead. Then I explained how I had to be strong through it all. My mom’s eyes immediately watered up with happiness. After the meeting my parents told me how proud of me they were for doing that. Through this whole experience, I became a new person.

Thankful For My Siblings

For most people the age difference seemed like an unbridgeable gap, but in my opinion it is what made me, me. My older siblings have been such influential people in my life that they have helped shape me into the person I am today. I remember sitting on my brown stool at the front door, waiting for them to return home. When I think back to my childhood, memories of the three of us fill my mind and bring a smile to my face. From them, I learned so much at such a young age and as the three of us grew up, it became my goal to be just like them. Today when I am faced with any big decisions, I have their teachings in the back of my mind to make the better choice. I wouldn’t be myself without my older brother and sister because they have been there throughout my childhood, my teenage years, and I know they will always be in my future.

As I was entering into kindergarten, my siblings were going off to college. My sister Stephanie is thirty-three, and my brother John is thirty-four. John and Stephanie are no ordinary siblings. Since I was born they have always treated me well and gave me one of the best childhoods that any kid could have. Every day when they came home from school, before they started their homework and before we ate dinner, they would spend time with me playing games, reading, or listening to music and dancing. I remember being so happy all the time and going to high schools events with them. They were such an influence on me because I have always looked up to them and especially because even when they were busy with high school, they always made time for me.

Thankful For My Siblings

Trying to tell stories to friends about those childhood memories is very difficult because I know that I can’t adequately describe how fun it was or how happy I was at the time. They have always been there for me, especially when our mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. News like that would usually be hard on a fifteen year old, but having John and Stephanie made it a lot easier for me. They told me that everything was going to be fine and that comfort is what got me through it all because I have always valued everything they say. John and Stephanie, no matter how busy with their own lives, would still find time to take my cousins and me to do activities like camping, hiking, shopping, to lunch, into Boston or having a sleepover at their apartments. As I entered high school they began helping me with more things like school work and helping me to become a better soccer, softball, or basketball player. Because of experiences like this, I know that throughout middle and high school I have made good decisions with them in the back of my mind.

All my friends used to think it was crazy that they were so much older than me, but I know that if it was any other way my past twenty one years would not have been the same. The times that I am the happiest is when I am with them. Having significantly older siblings made me mature at a young age and paved the path for how I want to live my life. I use their experiences, achievements, and failures to help guide me along the way and to set my goals in life. Now, as I am growing older and soon graduating from college, I have a different view on life and I am beginning to form a new relationship with my brother and sister because I know that I am not that little girl that I was in my childhood. Having them beside me all my life has made me a better person and I am ready for what the future holds for me and I am willing to do whatever it takes to reach my goals.

Thankful For My SiblingsWhen I begin to become scared of my future and where I will end up, I always think back to me around the age of four, sitting on my stool, looking outside and waiting for them to walk up the stairs. When I picture that, I become confident about my future because they have instilled such great values in me and I realize that no matter what happens, I will always have my older brother and sister by my side.

Dear DadDear Dad,

I’m writing you this letter to let you know how much that I appreciate and love you. We are definitely not the mushy type and neither of us are very good at expressing our feelings in person, but you deserve that. I want to say thank you for taking me fishing when I was younger even though I didn’t always want to go, I appreciate the memories we made. I appreciate you coming to every single one of my basketball, soccer, and softball games and tournaments, and for always cheering me up if I played poorly. I appreciate how much time and money you have spent over the years fixing my cars, I’m sorry for the terrible luck I have with them. I want to say thank you for always doing something goofy to cheer me up, you are pretty weird, and that’s what I love most about you. Most of all, thank you for making mom happy ever since she was nineteen, you two make me believe in true love. Dad, thank you for being the most loving father a girl could ask for.

Love,Mary

Memories With My Nephew: Nikolas Powers

AguiarMay 30th, 2012:Nikolas Powers Aguiar born at 5:03am.7lbs 6oz.

1 month old!Nikolas was the happiest baby we had ever seen.

His first time in the snow. November 2012.


AguiarNikolas’ first Christmas.December 25th, 2012.

His first flight ever to Charlotte, NC to visit his Aunt, me!March 2013.

Nikolas has to go to the hospital for a terrible flu, April 2013.


AguiarNikolas Powers Aguiar’s Birthday Party, 1 years old.May 30th, 2013.

He can finally sit up on his own, so it’s time for his first photo shoot!June 2013.

Auntie and Nikolas go Hiking in Winchester, MA.July 2013.


AguiarAuntie Mary has to go back to school, so Nikolas has to FaceTime. September 2013.

Nikolas dresses up for his second Halloween as an adorable duckling.October 2013.

Auntie Mary and Nikolas are reunited and spend Thanksgiving together.November 28th, 2013.

The Batalis Family

About the Author

My name is Mary Batalis and I am currently in my third year as a student at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. My major is Elementary Education with a concentration in social studies and it is exactly what I am fit for. Teaching isn't just a job, it is a profession that you are either fit or you are not. As a teacher you must have the compassion in you to educate, inspire, engage and motivate the minds of children to prepare them for their future.