The couple removing the front-porch swing are what would politely be called late middle age.

They hung the swing when they relocated in Acadiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Residents until then of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, they brought with them to Acadiana what little of theirs survived that mightly blow.

A bit of furniture, a vehicle, some pots, pans and photos, and inexplicably that swing, tossed from its place in the yard and deposited in the rubble that was left of a garage roof.

That swing, handcrafted by him from oak when their children were young, has been through some of the worst Mother Nature has to offer, going all the way back to Camille, once thought to be the end-all of hurricanes.

It has entertained courting couples and soothed grandchildren held in loving laps.

Taking it down late Sunday morning as Gustave pushes this way is a measure of good sense, not of giving up.

There may not be a porch left to hang it on, but the swing will survive to hang another day, on another porch if necessary.

And the day it hangs again will be the day this couple's life officially resumes, its lifeline to precious memories restored.