Bucket of Joy.

Rhiannon had been totally blindsided by her unexpected reduncancy. She was always regarded as one of the rising stars in her field of expertise. Until that afternoon, she had an acknowledged position in her career as a loans officer for a major bank in her land. Unfortunately, one by one, the branches had been closing down. No one, including Rhiannon, had been too keen to read the writing on the wall. The finance industry had been increasingly conducted online, as the digital world had centralized the roles of staff at any level.

More than that, the advances of AI had wiped many a job in all areas of banking. Still, Rhiannon had figured that she would always be somewhat indispensible. After all, many people still required loans for cars, credit card debts, and housing. So she had kept on keeping on, farewelling her former workmates one by one.

On that fateful Monday, Rhiannon had gone to her gym in the early hours, then been one of the first at her desk in the large bank branch. At 9am, she too had been summoned to the branch manager's office. The grim faced boss had told her about the terms of her retrenchment. She would receive her package, but her career was immediately curtailed at the end of trading for the day.

Rhiannon left stunned, trying to ignore the cluster of other newly unemployed bank officers clustered around the coffee pot. She tidied her desk there for the last time, and gave everyone a wave after her last appointment for the day. She had woken up the next day, still in disbelief, but supremely assured that she could walk into another similar position, if not something better.

Rhiannon was dark, slim, quite pretty, and always presented well, in a professional manner. She was 31 years old, well qualified, spoke beautifully, and determined not to let this setback get to her. After all, as her faith upbringing had taught her, Jesus had overcome greater obstacles than this. She took heart, and went off to her very expensive and exclusive gym. When she arrived home, she showered and sat down.

Rhiannon could network, devise a plan, offer on positions available, call on all her contacts in the finance world, and apply with a top quality Resume and Portfolio. She was not going to let the grass grow under her feet. It was vital to stay relevant to the world ahead for a single career woman. She hesitated, but only for a minute. She had a generous package, but quite a few expenses, such as her gym, her lease on her apartment, her own personal spending habits, and her routine hobby of buying top of the range designer everything. That included her own loan for her very snazzy car. Not to mention her customary annual luxury holiday.

Rhiannon did a double take, and decided to use her habitual spread sheet to tally up expenses and income. The results made her blink, but then, she was very optimistic by nature. Undeterred, she browsed for vacancies, ready to email her Resume. She was shocked by the total lack of opportunities in her field. The employment sector was daily shrinking. Rhiannon resolved to 'do lunch' with her network of contacts. So she did.

Lunches proved to be expensive, and futile. Everyone was running scared of being anywhere near the newly and long term reduntant in their circle. Rhiannon tried to keep a light hearted approach, wondering if they all thought unemployment was contagious. She was job ready, experienced, and could perform well in any hectic workplace or job interview. But, unfortunately, no job interviews ever appeared. She had been left behind.

Two years later, times had changed for Rhiannon. True, she had paid off her car loan with her package. But her attitude was almost desperate. Her financial situation meant she could make do with the clothes and stuff she owned. But the monthly lease on her property was eating away at her funds, as well as her wellbeing. She had cancelled her gym, and no longer bought new clothes, while still trying to stay motivated.

Then one phone call came from her family. Rhiannon had a younger sister, named Cassidy. She had always stayed in their hometown, baking capably in their traditional cake kitchen/coffee shop. Their grandparents had founded the business. It was considered a hub for all catering and excellent coffee and cakes in their district. Cassidy had lived over the premises in the flat there, even after she had married Rhys. Now the happy couple were expecting, so Cassidy offered her flat to Rhiannon, asking her to take up the slack in the bakehouse.

Rhiannon had hesitated. Her bucket list had always been to dodge their family tradition. That was why she had chosen her career over marriage and motherhood. Despite that, she realised here was a different opportunity for a home and job. At least it would be income, she could cook with the best of them. She could free up the expenses of her apartment. Maybe the divine was showing her a path, to be a happy vibe aunty to her nephew or niece. After all, she and Cassidy did not want to be the generation to turn their back on the family tradition.

So, with her head held high, she migrated back home, and got on with keeping on. Her smiles for the customers were genuine, and attractive, even with a smudge of flour on her face. Cassidy still came in most days for a few hours, she completed all the speciality cake decorating. One evening, Rhiannon got the phone message she was anticipating. The family were awaiting, as she assisted Cassidy by being her birth partner.

Young Tyler arrived with a minimum of fuss, adorably cute from Day One. Cassidy and Rhys were over the moon, learning on the job about parenting for the first time. Rhiannon wa wondering if her own egg follicles were tugging on her heartstrings, stirring some flights of fancy. But the mating game had never been a high priority for her bucket list.

Easter was approaching at a rapid rate, so the bakehouse was taking orders for hot cross buns in any popular format. They offered options. Cassidy had soon resumed her vim and vigour after her childbirth, and shared some days with Rhiannon, while Tyler's grandparents indulged their first descendant of the next generation. Grandma firmly believed there was no spoiling any baby at that age.

Soon, the loving parents were planning the baptism. Rhiannon was honoured to be her nephew's godmother. She believed. Her counterpart, the godfather, was a long time friend of Rhys. His name was Kendrick , someone she had never met. At the rehearsal, Kendrick did appear to be quite impressive. He was tall, slightly greying, clad in a quality suit and coat. The godparents agreed to perform their roles in the appropriate manner. Rhys muttered to Rhiannon,

"He's had his heart broken by his girlfriend. Probably too early for him. But I think he likes you."

On the morning of Tyler's baptism, the sun was shining. The church garden was a display of yellow, fragrant flowers, dancing in soft breeze. Perfect weather for such new hopes.

The family celebration groaned with food, drinks, laughing happy relatives and friends, including the parish priest. Kendrick seemed very attentive, before and after all the photos were taken. He and Rhiannon could then sit back, share some delicious munchies, sipping on some high faluting wines. They sat there enjoying such pleasant company, smiling and getting to know each other. Rhiannon realised that Kendrick had her when he told her, "When I have kids, I'm going to raise them Catholic too."

Rhiannon did not object when Kendrick, the jilted, asked her for her phone number. They agreed to meet for lunch or dinner. Or both. He was one of those strong, reserved, but determined kind of guys. Soon, it was Easter, bringing hope to all. New life everywhere, symbols of hope for renewing faith for normal people, to carry with them. Rhiannon just had to adapt her bucket list. She was going to happily hop into Easter, and a future that promised to fill her bucket list with joy.