The ties that bind us...

The San Gabriel Valley is sprinkled with legacies -- I'm convinced of it.

The legacies I've come across in my coverage so far are at the heart of many local businesses.

In many cases, it's a father handing his knowledge to a son, who continues on with the enterprise.

It's amazing how many times I've heard a story about the father taking a child along with him on a service call -- whether it was an electrical repair or a plumbing business. 

The child might even leave the business for a while, only to come back and help the business thrive.

This all might sound obvious. But if small business truly is the nation's economic driving force, and families are the social units that make us strong, then the San Gabriel Valley -- even with its issue - has some things to be proud of and to learn from.

Those links from generation to generation seem all the more powerful -- not only because of the economics, but because of how they strengthen society and families.

Of course, it doesn't always work. Many don't buy into the family business when they become adults.

But the stories I've come across lately remind me that many do, and that can be a very good thing.

And in these economic times, good things are at a premium. Might as well celebrate them when we can.