June 26, 2026: Progress Comes in Small Victories

Today wasn’t about big accomplishments. It was about recognizing the small signs that recovery is moving in the right direction.

A welcome overnight downpour gave the backyard a much-needed drink, allowing me to postpone most of the watering until later in the day. I still hand-watered a few dry spots, but Mother Nature handled most of the heavy lifting.

Most of the day centered on my left hamstring. It’s still talking to me, but not nearly as loudly as it has been. I noticed several encouraging signs: I could keep my leg extended longer before the pain showed up, the heating pad on the warm setting brought real relief, and my left butt cheek wasn’t hurting by the afternoon. None of those are headline-grabbing milestones, but together they paint a picture of gradual progress.

The biggest challenge continues to be patience. Not being able to work out the way I want is frustrating, but healing has become today’s workout. I also realized I’ve needed a nap four days in a row. Rather than fighting it, I’m choosing to see that extra rest as part of the recovery process instead of a setback. The nap turned out to be time well spent.

Missy added a little comic relief. She sampled the flower garden by eating grass, then promptly decided to return it a short time later. After a couple of rounds of throwing up, she was back to her normal self as if nothing had happened.

Looking back, today reinforced a simple lesson: progress isn’t always measured in miles or milestones. Sometimes it’s measured in a few extra minutes without pain, a good nap, a warm heating pad, a rainstorm that saves some work, and a dog who reminds you that life has a sense of humor. Those small victories are worth celebrating because they add up over time.