“I was gonna tell you something.” That’s how she begins. That’s exactly what Torchy Swinson says and does in what seems like an ocean of faces, phrases and clicks for likes in the world of social media. The differences in Torchy’s videos and others are many but what stands out most about this Great Grandmother of 85 years is how she takes us back in time with her nostalgic stories, thoughts and pearls of wisdom.
What started out as a simple request to join Tiktok actually gained her “help” from her great-granddaughters whose dances and fun videos Torchy simply wanted to watch. The girls tricked her a little and told her the only way to get on Tiktok was to post a video of herself and after a thought or two about what she could possibly post, she chose a poem she had written titled, “My Friend.”
Torchy woke up the next morning regretful and somewhat embarrassed that she even posted it but when she logged on it had gone viral overnight. It’s a tender and vulnerable poem about being a friend to yourself at every stage of life, even when we don’t necessarily recognize ourselves. If you close your eyes and listen to her, she takes you right back to the days of sitting on the arm of your grandmother’s recliner while she talks of simpler, sentimental days gone by.
To know Torchy is to love her and knowing her through her videos, you can’t help but be introduced by her recollections to Homer, the love of her life. Homer and Torchy built and shared their lives together here in West Texas for 60 years and 10 days. To hear George Jones tell it through their song, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” he loved her until the day he died but it’s obvious he is as much with her still in spirit, as he ever was.
Sitting with Torchy in her home at Manor Park, right here in Midland, Texas, you can’t help but notice the faces on the walls that make her life story so rich. She and Homer had three children and now have five grandchildren, six great granddaughters and one great grandson. A family that size makes for a lot of memories, a lot of stories and a love that has captured the hearts of all that know them, online and off.
Homer was the “rock” of that family and although all marriages have trials and tribulations, there was never a problem that he couldn’t somehow fix. Torchy remembers a time they got stuck on their boat in the middle of Possum Kingdom Lake.
Torchy Swinson. Photo by Jodie Brownd
As a young mom with your children it might enter your mind to be afraid and Torchy said that Homer thought for a minute, jumped off the side of the boat and reappeared after what seemed too long. He got back onboard, and simply said, “I need a prop and a pin.” He then searched the boat for makeshift items to fix what he needed to and they were on their way to shore in no time. “He just knew what to do to take care of his family and did it, no matter what it was,” says Torchy. It is his love and the security it provided that has her shaking her head in awe of him even still.
When asked what the best piece of advice she could offer would be, Torchy threw her head back to think and said, “You know, some days are diamonds, some days are dust and then other days are just cubic zirconias and you just have to fake it until you make it through.” She also shared that you program your life by what you tell yourself and that seeing the good in things brings about an abundance of good.
In her videos she talks about humorous everyday things we all encounter like what’s really in the plastic bowls labeled Cool Whip or Country Crock in her refrigerator knowing full well they’re filled with mystery leftovers and not Cool Whip or butter.
She laughs about how there should be a law passed that would make it illegal to purchase anything online after midnight to keep from “scroll purchasing” items we don’t need but somehow think we can’t live without.
It is so refreshing to hear her unintentional and yet profound wisdom in her authentic southern drawl. She’s a true gem, a southern belle and her stories make you smile and feel proud to be a Texan, learning about the history of when “Lovers really fell in love to stay and Daddy’s really never went away.”
Torchy is looking forward to the day she arrives in Heaven and that young boy she fell in love with all of those years ago meets her in penny loafers and rolled up jeans. She envisions her modern clothes of today will turn back into a poodle skirt and saddle oxfords and they’ll be that youthful couple once again.
Torchy isn’t afraid to tell you about the good ol’ days. She also has plenty of hope for the future as she is making a difference in the lives of everyday people all over the world by making them laugh, cry and remember. The best part? She’s not even trying. She is 100% her own genuine self, just sharing her stories and pearls. And just like her poem in her very first video, she’s the friend we all never really knew we needed until now. Just ask all 970,000 of us.
Jodie Brownd, a native West Texan, is a contributing journalist and photographer for publications throughout Texas.