[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/figure-skater-ice-skater-ice-266512/)When she was a child, ice skating was fun for Helen; but the ice was a mirror reflecting her mother Elena's ambitions.
What began as a childhood game on a public rink quickly transformed into a discipline, as her mother trained her to skate with professional elegance.
Elena had been a promising figure skater until a knee injury derailed her path to glory. So she gave up her dreams to start a family. Seeing the ease with which her daughter glided on the ice, she interpreted it as a sign that there were still hopes for the Olympics.
For years, Helen's life revolved around the skating rink. While her friends explored the world, she discovered the physics of pain in the cold air. Elena was not just her mother; she was an unyielding coach.
"One more second in the air, Helen. The world doesn’t remember those who land on their knees," she repeated tirelessly.
At nineteen, Helen reached the finals of the Olympic qualifiers. The stadium roared, but she heard nothing. As the music played, she executed each jump with stunning technical perfection.
While performing the final triple axel, Helen felt a strange clarity.
She landed with the elegance of a swan, but looking toward the stands, she did not seek the judges' approval. She saw Elena, crying with joy, living the moment through her eyes.
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