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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
WHITE SWAN
On their flight to Oslo, Sonja rested against Niels’ shoulder. “My hero, my big brother taught me to fall. Leif said, ‘You fall the way a length of rope drops.’
“Good advice.” She giggled. “I fell on my bum in my first Olympic competition. Finished last. Only injured my pride.”
“I remember,” said Niels. “You were only eleven. Four years later you won your first Olympic gold medal.
“Figure eights.” She yawned. “Leaps and spins. The world was mine.”
“Still is, my love.”
“I’m so tired.”
“Sleep now.”
Fifty-seven-year-old Sonja Henie closed her eyes and skated to her final arena.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A little human story to remind us of the person behind the myth. Great!
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תודה רבה מיכל 😀
שלום
רחל
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Delightful tale, m’lady
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Thank you, kind sir. And thank you for the picture. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your stories are always so informative.
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Many thanks, Reena.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This has a feeling of death at the end
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There’s a reason for that, Neil. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s really amazing how you blend the facts into such a beautiful narrative. Thank you for introducing me to them. It was a great read!
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Dear Dragon Warrior,
There have been so many intriguing, yet forgotten, folks through the ages. I love to find them and shine the spotlight. 😀 I’m so glad you enjoyed and took the time to comment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
So true, to be honest. Finding lost people in the seas of history is such an amazing and rewarding job. I love to do so, as well. All the best to you! Would love to read more.
Warmest regards,
DW 🙂
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Good writing and interesting information about a talented person with a powerful personality, Rochelle. I remember seeing her old pictures on TV. Thanks for the additional information. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I love watching her skate in those old films. She was truly a gifted skater. (Not so much an actress. 😉 ) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Historic fascinating piece of film,
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Dear Michael,
I enjoyed the film, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow what an interesting life, lived to the full, sometimes for better, other times for worse. Very entertaining glimpse, Rochelle. Nicely done.
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Dear Sandra,
It never ceases to amaze me what some humans are capable of. Then, in the span of a breath, they’re gone, images on celluloid and memory. Glad you enjoyed my snippet. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An amazing lady who was taken far too soon…. Nice story.
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Dear Trent,
Who knows what else she might’ve accomplished had she not died when she did? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
If Sonja could see what the ladies do now! She’d surely be flabbergasted. That said, what a lovely way to bring her short life to life! I always love what you do with this historical stories.
Shalom and lotsa spinning and jumping and gliding love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I think she would be amazed and probably wonder why she didn’t think of some of those moves herself. 😉 Thank you for the affirmations.
Shalom and lotsa leaping hugs,
Rochelle
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She would be mind-blown!
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Powerful last line. What a talent.
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Dear Tanille,
She had a gift for sure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve always loved her story. I’ve seen this clip before, long ago. From all I’ve read, she was a real sweetheart.
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Dear Linda,
I really didn’t know all that much about her until I started delving in. I found so many ways to go that would’ve well exceeded 100 words. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure! She was truly a pioneer.
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What a heart-warming story, well told!
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Thank you, Joy! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Genius! Lovely story.
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Many thanks, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m always amazed by people who can ice skate. Most of my time skating is spent on my booty. What Sonja did is beyond blows my mind. Truly amazing.
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Dear Nobbin,
I tried ice skating twice when I was young. I spent a lot of time on my tush, too. I’m not bad at roller skating though. But what Ms. Henie did was spectacular. Thank you for scooting by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story – not that I’d ever heard of her!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
I’m happy to introduce you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Made my eyes prickle with unshed tears. What a great way to end a life, and what wonderful love Niels showed.
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Dear Penny,
Niels was a childhood friend beside being her husband. I wept when I read how she passed away on the plane. Went to sleep and never woke up. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a tender tale. I was unaware of her until now.
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Dear Keith,
I’m pleased to introduce you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great little glimpse of history. I loved the link to the old reels. You did a wonderful job of writing a piece so short yet with an emotional last sentence. You are the wordsmith.
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Dear Jan,
Thank you for such glowing comments/compliments, m’luv. 😀 You’re making me blush. ❤
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Lovely story. Nicely done
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Thank you, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Extraordinary – both in the fact that she is no longer a household name despite all those achievements, and in her death. I wonder if she did know what was really wrong with her in the end? Great story Rochelle.
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Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing this bit of history and heart.
Na’ama
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The film clip is a work of art highlighting an artiste. Amazing her skills and I was watching how her skirt rippled perfectly as she spun. Glad you shared her story at FF. Nice reading also.
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An enjoyable story and a great introduction to an incredible lady. 🙂
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What I know of MS. Henie is from MASH 4077th tv show. I love your story. I love to watch skating and ice dancing . something relaxing about it. Can’t tell what the picture is of, though..too small on my phone. Someone tell me please.
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Dear Bear,
True confession, that’s where I heard of Sonja Henie. 😉 Big MASH fan here. Glad you enjoyed my story.
The picture is of a sidewalk with zigzagging stones and a piece of string in a figure eight lying on it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks… I couldn’t make out the white object. I’ll try in morn to get a WiFi connect in the drive thru so I can join in. Hate this constant open/close thing… Especially the library. Thanks again. Shalom – Bear
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I feel I’ve learnt so much from this merry little band of folk, once again you nailed it Rochelle and the top spot too!!
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Dear Shrawley,
Your comment gives me something to smile about on a dreary morning. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an absolutely lovely story Rochelle of a very real person.
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Many thanks, Shelley.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A film star too, I read. Lovely piece.
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Thank you, Ali.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So young for a final skate.
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Dear James,
Leukemia took her. Untimely and tragic end for certain.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A real shame –
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life was short and she made the most of it.
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She did indeed, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awesome. I’ve never heard of her, but once again you expand my horizons. She must have been in terrific shape to stay in the sport for so long.
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Dear Eric,
I’m very happy to introduce you to Sonja. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So graceful. I love watching figure skating (tried it when I was young but wasn’t any good at it. 🙂) She fell, but she got back up. That’s key to life. Inspiring story!
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Dear Brenda,
If she was anything, Sonja was focused. Of course it didn’t hurt that her father made sure she did. 😉 (I couldn’t stay up on blades, let alone figure skate. 😉 ) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely, bittersweet story. I am sure she is still doing those perfect figure 8’s in heaven. Thanks, Rochelle.
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Dear Anne,
Thank you for such a lovely comment. I’m picturing her heavenly skating.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful moment. The sweetness of memory shared in one’s last moments. Sad yet peaceful.
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Dear Laurie,
Thank you for such a sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hello Rochelle, what a great story and such an interesting person. That last line is so bittersweet. Hope you’re doing well these days. Stay healthy!
-David
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Dear David,
Your generous comments make me smile. Doing well here, hope you are, too.
Shalom and good health,
Rochelle
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You tell Sonja’s story with such compassion, and I love the slow motion ice dance moves- truly captivating. I’m reminded of the saying: she was a candle that burnt briefly and more brightly.
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Dear Francine,
I like the candle saying. I’ve heard that and I think it was true in Sonja Henie’s case. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such nostalgia and affection expressed in so few words! There’s magic in your story, Rochelle.
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Dear Mags,
Thank you for such a glowing compliment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I truly, truly enjoyed reading this wonderful tribute to a great figure skater. The last line really hit me. Beautiful story.
Shalom,
Adele
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