sunrise, it's interesting that you are learning to use opening sentences that many of us don't like! What was the closing statement you didn't get credit for? I personally hate "We have to stop". My former Ts used to say that with no warning and I never wanted to stop! My current T will give me some warning first, though sometimes it's "we have 5 minutes left".

I think my T asks how I am first, or maybe I start talking before she says anything. She doesn't ask "what would you like to talk about?" or anything like that. I actually think I talk first after I get settled on the couch!