We Empower Magazine Presents… Dear Mom Series (Mother’s We’ve Lost) With Khalila Arthur

Khalila Arthur – “Good things come in small packages.” This petite in stature but sizable in success, humble but always hungry, pavement pounder is undoubtedly a testament to that adage. Brooklyn, NY is where her story begins. With parents who migrated from the Caribbean and worked hard to ensure she received a quality upbringing and valuable education; the example was set with the expectation that she’d follow – and she did. Starting a taxi business in college, transporting students back and forth to local clubs, Khalila learned that she had a burning desire to make money unconventionally – while staying par for the course. To no surprise, upon graduation, between her “9 to 5” and her fervor for entrepreneurship, navigating her passions was something this quintessential beauty was destined to do. She tried a plethora of different business ideas from selling Cutco Knives to Pre-Paid Legal Services. Her business acumen is indescribable to most and unstoppable by all – as she believes that your journey is more rewarding when you try and fail, not when you fail to try!

A trailblazer in her own right, Khalila Arthur has a modest portfolio of business ventures within the Food Service and Hospitality industry. However, the one she is most proud of was inspired by her mom’s “to die for” corn pie. Khalila combined her love for corn and her Caribbean heritage – by way of St. Vincent and the Grenadines – and created Khalila’s CornKrush, LLC. With today’s push to diversify food options that are healthy, her “claim to fame” delectable delight, doesn’t disappoint. Her recipes are derived from flavors that are widely used in preparing a vast array of West Indian dishes. Where there is CornKrush, there are no crumbs!

Many will attest to Khalila being one of the sweetest people you will ever encounter. She has a heart the size of the huge smile that she wears. Her enchanting energy attracts many, so her circle is substantial but selective. Her love for her family and friends is unmatched. Peace is particularly important to her, and she ensures she is always well-poised to maintain it. She treats others as she’d like to be treated but doesn’t trust anyone more than her own instincts. God first and all else follows is the foundation of her life’s journey.

This native Brooklynite has a sweet and savvy grit mixed with grace, which has allowed her to hobnob with various celebs in the Event industry and throw parties in prominent “hot spots” in NYC. She has schmoosed with noteworthy politicians while working for the NJ State Senate and served as a District Leader on the Board of City Council for the City of East Orange, NJ. Khalila continues to elevate her entrepreneurial status and is always seeking new opportunities to build her investment portfolio. She considers herself to be a “traditional nonconformist” so quitting her secure income isn’t a peak priority just yet. She doesn’t compete nor does she try to impress. Her unassuming perseverance is predicated on her desire to aim beyond her capabilities so she will never become too complacent!

We Empower Magazine Presents… Dear Mom Series (Mother’s We’ve Lost) With Khalila Arthur. Dedicated to Khalila’s beloved mother, Veronica N. Toney (October 1, 1948-May 26, 2020).

Dear Mommy,

It breaks my heart almost two years later, writing this letter to you. I still can’t believe that you’re physically not present and my connection with you is solely spiritual. I suffer a lot in silence. The pain hasn’t lost its intensity, I’ve just gotten better at masking it. My eyes still swell with tears though they may not fall as often. I’m attempting to be the strong woman you’ve raised me to be and adjust to my new “normal.” My smiles are marred with an underlying sadness as the thought of true happiness now feels unfair. I dream about you often but waking up to a new day without you is the hardest part. My gratitude for life battles with my unrelenting grief. My heart — though it beats — still breaks but I am holding on to my FAITH as a pillar of strength, as I maneuver through this new unsettling, and very unfamiliar way of life. I have commissioned myself to live for what lies ahead. My life’s goals are now exceedingly conscientious. Every carefully crafted step I take and every intensely calculated decision I make, is now predicated on the notion, that I will one day be reunited with you in Heaven.

Mommy, I never knew life without you and never wanted to. Everything you’ve ever taught me seeps its way into my life daily. It’s bittersweet realizing how similar we are and how much I learned from you, but astonishing to discover I depended on you more than I self-confessed. I didn’t make any major decisions unless I received your blessing to move forward. My entire life I strived to make you and daddy proud so now I try not to do anything that won’t. Silently, my soul still screams for your comfort, security, and reassurance. You had a heart as huge as the smile you wore and the blessings you bestowed upon others was boundless — that part of you is me. I mirror how effortlessly you were as beautiful inside as you were outside. You gave generously and graciously. God gave you the gift of giving!

Heaven only knows how privileged and proud Vash and I truly are to be your children. You were fearless and selfless, knowing it was time to leave but incredibly sad to say goodbye, concerned about how we’d survive without you. You maintained your courage and strength until you took your very last breath, moving your toes to your favorite gospel song, “Stay with God” and mouthing I love you minutes before you died. Quite frankly, I’m not sure that I’m doing a very good job, but daddy, Vash, and our circle of family and friends are very supportive. As strong as I had been with every trip we made to Sloan, my heart broke the morning of May 26, 2020, when you transitioned. A piece of me died with you that day. I saw the sorrow in your eyes the night before your passing and prayed that God would give you more time. You confessed to me your realization that you were going to die, and I still refused to accept your fate. Mommy, I often wonder what you felt that night. I wonder if there was anything I could have done or any prayer I could have prayed to save you, but you fought as long and hard as you could. One more day would have brought me peace but would also have brought you pain. I struggle with feeling selfish for not wanting you to leave but still glad you are no longer in pain. Though the latter does prevail, I still haven’t fully embraced it.

You never liked to be alone, and God ensured you didn’t exit this life that way. It was painful to watch you go but priceless to have been by your side. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to say thank you for giving me life and for loving me through it. Thank you for raising me to be the woman I am today and thank you for giving me the blessing of a younger brother, so I have a piece of you left in this world. I’m sorry that life didn’t allow you to see me get married or become a mom, but I pray that your spirit will be there every step of the way. Vash and daddy are struggling but surviving and words can’t adequately express how much you are missed by everyone that was graced by your presence. Every memory with you is cherished in the most endearing way. You were truly a “once in a lifetime” kind of Mom. I am blessed beyond measure for that and eternally grateful.

Thank you for your endless love, devotion, caring heart, and prayers uplifted daily. Mommy, you were the epitome of who a mom should be, and you NEVER missed a beat. You deserved more than God’s plan allowed me to reward you but bless your heart as you expected nothing in return. Thank you for every lesson, blessing, and unwavering love. You did a great job with the life that God gave you! I LOVE YOU endlessly. The gratitude I have is infinite and you are missed tremendously.

Rest Peacefully Mommy Until We Meet Again,

Kiki

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