Why Penultimate?

"Penultimate" means second to last or right before the end. We don't know when our last moment will be, and every breath is a gift to be cherished for ourselves and shared with others.

When my mother passed away, we received and sent out many cards. I have sweet memories of choosing cards for special occasions with her as a little girl. The inspiration for establishing this brand comes from my mother, who has influenced me as a writer, poet, and entrepreneur. I have collected so many heartfelt handwritten notes, cards, and postcards with beautiful art that I’ve received over the years, which inspired me to create my own collection of encouraging messages and mantras. I want to share my words and encourage you to use the space on each card to write a personal message for someone special. Penultimate Moments is born from my desire to share my gifts and be a positive presence in the world.My desire and determination to establish this brand are inspired by my mother’s influence on me as a writer and poet. Thanks to her support and so many others, my writing has taken me from my hometown of Washington, D.C., to many places, including New York City, Los Angeles, Aspen, Cape Town, and Senegal.

-Dannie Ruth

Family Is Always Why.

My grandmother does not hesitate to put a card or letter in the mail. She has been my pen pal for many years, from birthdays to travel days, and even now she sends me a combination of letters and cards, always reminding me of the importance of not rushing the creating process and sharing when I am ready. She encourages me to take my time, whether writing a poem or preparing a meal. One day she said to me, you know you could be writing the words in these cards. The idea lit me up and we beamed. I have followed her advice and taken my time. She is excited about Penultimate Moments. I am grateful for her support and honored to love and learn from her.

-Dannie Ruth

Inspiring Reads - Acts of Faith

Iyanla Vanzant’s Acts of Faith, originally published in 1993, is a yearlong daily meditation guide and resource. Each day of the year has a unique inspirational quote, affirmation, and a short essay to assist in reflection and wisdom. These messages are pulled from a variety of spiritual practices and teachings to assist people across faiths and disciplines. In 2018, the 25th-year anniversary edition was released. This is a book I love holding because it's small but hefty, light, and easy to travel with.

Through the ebbs and flows of the year, there is a moment each day to spend time with this book and meditate on the quarterly theme and daily thought inspiration. This book encourages introspection and action, hence the title.

I enjoy exploring my family members' libraries and discovering new and old gems that expand my knowledge regularly. We often end up with duplicate books, signed copies, and well-maintained books that have been useful to us and can be passed on. If you're interested, you can find books ready to be passed on from my family library in the Secondhand section of the Penultimate Bookstore.

-Dannie Ruth

Pen A Moment - Of Triumph

I am always writing notes to myself. Some I no longer need, but they are hard to let go of. I decided to recycle the used paper, repurpose my notes, and gift you with a prompt. Pen a moment of triumph or tranquility, using carefully crafted writing prompts and recommended reads.

“You must know that what you focus your mind on will grow.” While looking through my grandmother’s extensive library, I came across a beautiful hardback book, Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color, by Iyanla Vanzant. Inside, I discovered this quote—a reminder to ruminate on thoughts and ideas that nourish and enliven us.

Take a moment to imagine and write down a best-case scenario. Consider all the things that could go right. All the obstacles you see have disappeared. What is your mind focused on? What do you see growing?

-Dannie Ruth