writer. widow. wanderer.
august cabrera
I am a woman who has spent the last decade pondering the confusing—and sometimes conflicting—connection between grief and grace. Passionate about truth in all its forms, I write to explore the intricacies of our shared human adventure.
BLOG
recent thoughts
Anyone have a portable disco ball I can borrow?
Brene Brown says that secrets – and shame – thrive in the dark. Of course, she’s right. To start...
Does it still count as soft porn if it wasn’t intentional?
I am two hours away from my first book launch. Before you get all excited (okay, yes, that was a...
Does the FBI take calls on Tuesdays?
I had a huge list of things that needed to happen today – simultaneously – all of which involved...
Unexpected Gifts
When I wrote my last blog about my first official rejection, I promise I was not looking for...
Prove Them Wrong
Today has been a rough day: too many goodbyes I did not want to make. And then I got home, opened...
Act Anyway
My mom said today I was braver than she ever was. That I have never been afraid to try new things,...
true stories III
book launch
I was so excited to be a part of the latest book launch of True Stories from The Narrative Project. My reading from my piece in the anthology “Arlington” starts around the 54 minute mark.
true stories III
a bad widow
“A Bad Widow” is the story of my relationship with my husband before and after his death. This piece is taken from the introduction and shares a part of my experience as a trophy widow in the middle of a high profile interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
featured articles
in my words
THE WASHINGTON POST
My sons say their dad died ‘for nothing’ in Afghanistan. How do I respond?
FREAKONOMICS
When Your Safety Becomes My Danger
TAPS
- 6 Things I Wish I Knew as a New Widow
- Blended Families Bond Over New Family Traditions
- When Family Traditions Change
- Are You Ready to be a Peer Mentor
- 5 Ideas to Make it Through Valentine’s Day Without Your Love
- Unexpected Grief, and Joy, on Mother’s Day
- The Power of Sports
MILITARY.COM
work in progress
A Bad Widow ~ a memoir
Balanced between devotion and devastation, “A Bad Widow” explores the intersection of complicated grief and a hero’s humanity. Reconciling conflicting truths about love, loyalty, and loss, this memoir asks and answers the difficult question, “How can something so breathtakingly painful also be so heartbreakingly beautiful?”