Dr. Tyra Manning’s story is both unique and universal, as it demonstrates the pervasive devastation of loss while demonstrating how courage and love can triumph. Tyra’s husband was shot down over the Laotian jungle while flying a top-secret mission during the Vietnam War. She learned of his death while she was hospitalized at the Menninger Clinic, where she was being treated for depression. Tyra’s worst fear had come true.
Determined to fulfill the rest of the dreams and promises she and her husband had made to one another, that she get well and become a teacher, Tyra persevered through the darkest of times. Ultimately, Tyra earned a doctorate in education from the University of Kansas, becoming one of the nation’s top school superintendents.
She has devoted her forty-year career to helping children achieve their highest potential. Since retiring in 2004, Dr. Manning’s mission has been to share her personal journey of hope with people who are experiencing depression, addiction, and loss.
Though she travels around the country delivering the messages and lessons in her new book, Where the Water Meets the Sand, Dr. Manning is a born and bred Texan. She currently resides in the Texas Hill Country.
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Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was a favorite of Larry’s and mine. Listen to it here. Larry and I were both fans and, when Otis died tragically at age 26, we mourned his early death. We weren’t the only ones, as the song’s popularity skyrocketed it to the top of the […]
Stories Make Us Human
Nothing helps us heal like remembering, writing and celebrating our stories. In my case, storytelling is a part of my soul. I’m fortunate and grateful to have a great deal of poignant memories from days gone by. Over the course of my lifetime, many people have taught me important life lessons and I continue to […]
Musical Memories: The White Cliffs of Dover
Music, like stories, brings us together. Last month, May 29th, we celebrated Memorial Day, a federal holiday honoring those who died while serving our country in the armed forces. On June 14th, Flag Day, we celebrated the adoption of the flag of our United States. And, in less than two weeks, we will celebrate July […]
