From Abandonment to Belonging
In Forever a Foster Child: A Memoir of Resilience, Cynthia Goble invites readers into a deeply personal journey through childhood trauma, systemic neglect, and the quiet strength it takes to heal. This is more than a story of survival—it’s a testament to the power of faith, memory, and the unshakable belief that we are never truly alone. With raw honesty and spiritual insight, Cynthia traces her path from abandonment to belonging—and offers hope to anyone still searching for their place in the world.
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“My past didn’t define me—it refined me.
Every broken piece became part of my purpose.”
— Cynthia Goble, Forever a Foster Child
Early Praise & Endorsements
“Forever a Foster Child is a tender and courageous journey through the landscapes of loss, resilience, and becoming. Even in the brief time I had to read sections of the manuscript, I was struck by the honesty of Cynthia’s voice and the way she traces her experiences with such clarity and heart. Her reflections invite readers to sit with the complexities of growing up unseen and to witness how strength can take shape in quiet, unexpected ways. A deeply human story that will resonate with anyone who has ever carried wounds larger than their childhood.”
— Ruth Brunner, Author, Mentor & Coach; Counselling Practitioner; Creator of the B.E.C.O.M.E. Experience, and Flow Inspired Mentor
“A powerful, heartfelt, emotion-evoking testament to resilience and courage in the face of loss, abandonment, betrayal, and constant disruption in life. Eloquently written and formatted, the author finds connection and meaning through the love of her dogs and nature. The book inspires, uplifts, and gives hope to anyone who has undergone hard struggles due to unfortunate circumstances beyond their control.”
— Harvey Deutschendorf, Speaker and Internationally Published Author of The Other Kind of Smart, Simple Ways to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence for Greater Personal Effectiveness and Success and Emotional Intelligence Game Changers: 101 Simple Ways to Win at Work + Life.
“Forever a Foster Child reminds us that resilience is not just about enduring hardship but about reclaiming joy, connection, and the courage to thrive. Cynthia’s story captures the strength it takes to survive instability, the comfort found in small acts of kindness, and the healing power of love, whether from a parent, a friend, or even the loyal companionship of animals. It is a memoir that speaks to anyone who has ever felt unseen, showing that resilience is as much about rebuilding and rediscovering ourselves as it is about survival.”
— Carlene Hutton, Founder and Director of The Coaching Tribe International
“Forever A Foster Child is not a memoir that asks for attention; it offers presence.
Cynthia Goble writes with rare emotional integrity. She does not sensationalize pain or rush healing. Instead, she invites the reader into a quiet, honest witnessing of a life shaped by displacement, resilience, and grace.
What stayed with me most was the spiritual undercurrent woven throughout her story—the awareness she carried as a child, the refuge she found in animals, the dignity of her father, and the quiet kindnesses that arrived when she needed them most.
This is a book about foster care, yes, but more deeply, it is a testament to resilience that does not harden the heart.
If you have ever felt unseen, displaced, or quietly strong, this book will meet you with tenderness and truth.”
— Rohini Qureshi, Author, eBook & Journal Designer, Trainer in Kindle Create & Self-Publishing, and Founder of Heart To Paper Gifts
“Cynthia Goble offers us a rare and courageous window into her soul’s deepest revelations. From the very beginning, life worked to crush her spirit—yet she continued to hope. Even after his passing, his lessons and devotion cradle her, sustaining her through some of her darkest hours. And yet, there was always her imagination—her magic carpet—carrying her toward the life she dreamed of and the worth she so deeply craved. From demeaning early jobs to her determined climb through university and beyond, Cynthia never stopped envisioning a future filled with possibility. Her journey—from resistance to betrayal to a breathtaking reclamation—kept me cheering for her through every page.
Cynthia has always searched for the light and reached for the moon. It is no wonder that today, we marvel at the star she has become.”
— Loree Dittrich, Writer; Author; Contributing Author, Mission Hope Anthology Series
“Reading Forever A Foster Child felt like sitting in sacred space with a soul brave enough to bare its deepest truths. Cynthia Goble invites us into a story etched not only in trauma, but in triumph—a life both disrupted and determined, disheartened yet divinely resilient.
As someone who’s spent decades exploring the inner landscapes of self and soul, I found Cynthia’s voice refreshingly unfiltered, profoundly human, and spiritually resonant. Her bond with nature and her canine companions speaks volumes about the universal yearning for connection and unconditional love. And in that, I saw not just her story, but echoes of my own—and perhaps yours, too.
What Cynthia does so well is alchemize pain into presence. She reminds us that our beginnings do not determine our becoming, and that in the wounds we often try to hide lies the very wisdom we’re meant to share.
This book is not merely a memoir. It’s a mirror, a light, a companion for the road. If you’re navigating your own healing or seeking a deeper understanding of human resilience, Cynthia’s journey is a gift. I highly recommend it—not just for what it says, but for what it awakens.”
—Zen Benefiel, Author, Coach, and Visionary Leader
“Cynthia’s story is truly moving. It is not just a tale of struggle, but a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and self-belief. The way she has transformed hardship into strength and built a beautiful life from broken pieces is nothing short of inspiring. Indeed, our beginnings do not decide our destiny, it is our determination and effort that shape who we become. Cynthia’s journey is a beacon of hope for anyone striving to rise above their past.”
— Pravin Gupta, Feature & Short Filmmaker
“Cynthia Goble’s memoir is a powerful and haunting exploration of the devastating impact addiction and family dysfunction can have on individuals and the entire family system. Her writing is both compelling and deeply insightful, especially in the way she captures the complex emotions that come with living in such an environment. I was particularly moved by her descriptive passages, which vividly illustrate the toll of trauma and the long journey toward healing.”
— Lyn Sherman, MSW, LCSW (retired)
“Reading Forever A Foster Child is an experience that lingers long after the final page. Cynthia Goble has written a memoir that is both intimate and universal, tracing her journey through foster care, loss, and the quiet determination to create a life shaped not by circumstance, but by courage.
What moved me most was the honesty with which she opens her heart to the reader. She does not hide the pain of instability or the ache of searching for belonging. Yet woven through every chapter is a steady undercurrent of resilience, the choice to rise, to rebuild, and to carry forward lessons that could have easily broken her spirit.
The strength of this book lies in its balance of vulnerability and hope. Cynthia does not present resilience as a distant ideal, but as something lived in the daily act of showing up, even when the weight feels unbearable. Her story transforms personal wounds into universal wisdom, offering readers not only her truth but also a mirror in which to reflect on their own.
Forever A Foster Child is far more than a memoir. It is a testament to endurance, a call to compassion, and a reminder that our beginnings do not define our endings. This book is a gift of light born from shadows, and I believe it will touch every reader with both healing and inspiration.”
— Vijayakumar M
“Forever A Foster Child is not simply a memoir—it is a sacred offering. Cynthia doesn’t just share memories, she holds up a mirror for every soul who has ever felt unheard, unseen, or unloved. Her resilience invites us to grieve, to feel, to remember, and most importantly, to hope. In walking through her journey, I discovered reflections of my own—and found the light beyond the pain. This book proves that even when life tries to break us, there is always a deeper strength waiting to build us back up. Thank you, Cynthia, for writing what so many are too afraid to say—and for reminding me of my own light.”
— Dr. Dileep Kumar Mishra, Breath Code Creator
“This powerful memoir about repeated loss and resilience is beautifully written, incredibly honest, and very intimate. I found myself crying in many parts of it, hating the husband, rooting for Cynthia, loving her many animals, and amazed by the Light she found all around her. This book was heartbreaking and uplifting all at once — and a great read.”
— Lori D.
“Powerful and filled with hope. By inviting me on her journey of discovery, Cynthia demonstrates the value we can gain as adults by doing the hard work necessary to heal the child within each of us. Well done, Cynthia!”
— Vickey Q.
“Raw and riveting, harrowing yet hopeful. Cynthia Goble’s Forever a Foster Child: A Memoir of Resilience is the type of book that proves fact is often stranger, and more brutal, than fiction. After suffering through a jarring childhood with the untimely death of her father and the emotional abuse of her mentally ill mother, Ms. Goble overcomes these challenges only to have her newly rebuilt world shattered by the deceit and manipulations of a narcissistic partner.
Faced with unemployment and homelessness, she manages to survive and ultimately thrive through her love of learning, her desire to help others, her commitment to honor her dad’s powerful life lessons, her spirituality, her self-love, and her pure grit. Ms. Goble’s writing is hauntingly poetic in defiance of her subject matter, subtly reassuring readers that there is beauty even in the ugliness of life.
This evocative, uplifting memoir is a must-read for mental health professionals, therapists, life coaches, teachers, trauma experts, abuse victims, survivors, and anyone interested in or affected by mental illness.”
— MR
“Cynthia’s narrative leaves the reader feeling they are experiencing the journey themselves. A seasoned writer that delivers a heartfelt and compelling narrative that is gripping and honest. Her writing style paints a vivid picture and begs us to come along and understand what so many right in our midst endure and experience.”
—Vincent Minichiello, PE, PMP
Dedications & Acknowledgments
To My Father, Samuel Leonard Goble
(November 28, 1929 – July 15, 1963)
My father embodied integrity, humility, and a quiet strength that continues to shape my life. He believed that true character reveals itself not through grand gestures, but through everyday choices—how we treat others, how we care for what we’ve been given, and how we carry ourselves even when no one is watching.
Whether returning a lost twenty-dollar bill or repairing something broken with care, he lived by a code of respect for people, work, and life itself. His values were simple yet profound: honesty, kindness, and responsibility. From him, I learned that respect is not just a courtesy; it’s a way of engaging with the world.
His courage was both gentle and fierce. As a young sailor in the U.S. Navy, he made the selfless decision to leave his military career to support his widowed mother and sister after his father’s sudden death. That single act of love set a course for our family and taught me that real strength often lies in quiet sacrifice.
At home, he created a world filled with laughter, learning, and care. He was a man who built joy from simple things—stringing a basketball hoop, setting up a small backyard pool, hand-cranking ice cream on humid Texas nights. His gestures were quiet, but their impact was immeasurable.
When illness struck, taking away his health but never his spirit, he showed me the truest meaning of resilience. Even in pain, he faced each day with faith and dignity. In his final years, his body weakened, but his heart grew stronger, teaching me that even in life’s harshest moments, grace can prevail.
I was seven years old when he called me to his bedside one night and spoke the words that would guide my life:
“Focus on your studies. Work hard. One day, you’ll have a good life.”
Those words became my compass, leading me through every storm, every reinvention, every rise from the ashes. My father’s legacy lives within me—woven through my work, my writing, and the very foundation of Rise and Resilience. His love continues to guide me, his courage sustains me, and his integrity inspires the mission behind everything I do.
To Rachel Harris, Ph.D.
I am profoundly grateful to Dr. Rachel Harris, whose wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support helped me navigate some of life’s most difficult and formative moments. In her care, I learned that healing is not a linear path and that courage often begins in the quiet spaces within ourselves. She taught me to listen to my own truth, to honor my experiences, and to face both pain and possibility with clarity and compassion.
Through her guidance, I discovered the strength to confront my past, embrace vulnerability, and step into my own power. Her insight and encouragement gave me the tools to transform trauma into growth, to see resilience not just as survival but as a way of living fully and authentically.
Dr. Harris’s influence reaches far beyond the therapy room. It is present in every choice I make, in the ways I seek connection, in the way I approach challenges, and in the mission of Rise and Resilience.
This book is dedicated to both my father, Samuel Leonard Goble, and Dr. Rachel Harris—with deep love and gratitude for the man whose quiet strength built my resilience and the mentor whose guidance helped me find light, courage, and strength on my journey.
At four years old, I didn’t yet know the word ‘resilience,’ but I was already living it.
A Life Lived in Chapters
This gallery traces moments from my life, not just as memories, but as milestones of becoming. Each image reflects a chapter shaped by challenge, growth, faith, and resilience, revealing the woman who learned to rise, repeatedly.
Early Days & Innocence
Chalay was more than a toy; he was a witness to my early lessons in love, loss, and hope.
I climbed into the cockpit of a U.S. Navy plane named ‘Cindy,’ an early spark of courage and curiosity ready for takeoff.
Chapters of Becoming
Born on Christmas Eve. I’ve always felt there’s something sacred about arriving on a day that celebrates light, love, and new beginnings
My adult years were a journey of trials and transformation. I navigated career shifts, survived homelessness, and left a twenty-year relationship built on deception to find myself. Through loss, cross-country moves, and uncertainty, I learned that home isn’t a place—it’s a state of mind. Guided by the Light, I rebuilt myself again and again, discovering that resilience comes from the courage to rise when life falls apart. Our beginnings may shape us, but they do not define where we ultimately arrive.
Professional Journey
My leadership journey spans decades of guiding organizations through transformation with compassion, clarity, and courage. From boardrooms to startups, my focus has always been the same: creating cultures of integrity and resilience where people and purpose thrive together.
The Healing Presence of Animals
From Chalay, my cherished childhood plush chimpanzee who held my earliest secrets, to the soulful Beagles and noble Bloodhounds who showed me the true meaning of home, animals have walked beside me with quiet wisdom and unwavering love. In their eyes, I found pure acceptance; in their presence, a love that asks nothing yet gives everything — a reminder that the deepest bonds transcend words and that devotion knows no conditions.
Cindy,” he said, “I need you to listen to me. I’m very sick. I’m not going to live much longer.”
His words landed like stones in my chest, and tears streamed down my face. Fear clouded my mind, but I clung to every word.
“You’re not a little girl anymore,” he continued. “You can take care of yourself. Focus on your studies, work hard, and one day, you’ll have a good life.”
That night marked the end of my childhood and the beginning of an adulthood I wasn’t ready for. His honesty, though painful, was a gift. It prepared me for the storms ahead and gave me the strength to navigate a lonelier world.
Excerpt from Forever a Foster Child: A Memoir of ResilienceQuote Source