My first reading journal chpts 1-6

I understand the way Fransisco lived, his struggles, his hardships, and I really wish I could make it better for him and his family. I couldn't imagine bathing in a small metal tub, or living under such harsh conditions, or having to miss school  to  work in a field all day. I believe though that to help others you have to help yourself first, you have to be able to withstand that hardships and be stable, and as a country right now we aren't ready to help Mexico with their problems.  We need to help our sick people get proper health care, less taxes, mortgages that they can pay without struggling to feed their families. I really can't relate with Fransisco, but reading these first few chapters he has helped me better understand that we do need to help him and those like him, and  hopefully  eventually we will be able to. Saying this, I do think Fransisco was very brave for traveling alone with his older brother back to California. I don't know how he would be able to withstand the enormous empty feeling from being seperated from his family for such a long period of time. I certainly would be hysterical and not be able to keep myself together. How was he able to focus in school, he must have had an intense drive and determination. Also, he was segregated by others because he was different, but he tried his hardest to fit in, something that can often be very difficult to do.  I admire Fransisco for his courage , determination, and will to do his best.