The Gift of a Simple Hello

In this heartfelt episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry reflects on a simple ritual: walking her dog Christie through her neighborhood each morning and pausing to say hello.Those two words—a greeting, a moment of recognition, a brief conversation—become a reminder of something many of us are missing in a world of distractions and screens: the gift of truly seeing one another.Through stories about neighborhood dogs, a retired teacher who remembers the details of her life, and a powerful lesson about fear and perception, Kerry explores how connection is built not only through extraordinary events, but through ordinary moments of attention.And for memoir writers, that may be the greatest lesson of all.Our stories are not only found in the dramatic turning points.They are found in the morning walks.The familiar faces.The conversations we almost didn’t have.The moments we almost overlooked.In this episode, you’ll discover:* Why a simple hello can be an act of connection* How fear can shape the way we see the world* Why the smallest memories often hold the greatest meaning* The concept of “threshold moments” and how they can become powerful memoir scenes* A writing prompt to uncover the ordinary moments worth preservingWriting Prompt:Take ten minutes today and write about a small interaction you still remember.Who was there?What was said?Why do you think that moment stayed with you?You may discover that what seemed insignificant was actually shaping your story all along.🌿 Looking for a supportive writing community? Join Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, my free Facebook group for aspiring memoir authors. Come for the writing tips, encouragement, and inspiration—and stay for the connection with others who believe every life holds a story worth telling. Join us: Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe