Mary Batalis wrote a multi-genre project about her family. One section describes attending a cancer support group meeting with her mother, who had breast cancer, and sharing her experience as the youngest family member. This helped her become a new person. Another section expresses gratitude for her older siblings who supported her through their mother's cancer diagnosis and shaped her into the person she is today. The final section is a letter to her father thanking him for his love and support over the years.

1. Multi-genre Project:
The Batalis Family
By: Mary Batalis

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Thankful For My Siblings
When 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.

6. Dear Dad
Dear 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

7. Memories With My Nephew:
Nikolas Powers Aguiar
May 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.

8. Memories With My Nephew:
Nikolas Powers Aguiar
Nikolas’ 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.

9. Memories With My Nephew:
Nikolas Powers Aguiar
Nikolas 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.

10. Memories With My Nephew:
Nikolas Powers Aguiar
Auntie 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.

11. The Batalis Family

12. 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.