The rumours are true – I’ve been made ‘an offer I couldn’t refuse’. Ladies and gentlemen, The Godfather is in.

A few months ago, two of my greatest friends in life surprised me very much by declaring that they wanted me to be one of the godparents to their unborn bambino.

Surprise is definitely the word; I was flat-out taken aback, and half a second later overwhelmed with some of the purest joy and delight I can ever remember feeling.

Bringing your own child into the world is one thing. You create them, and therefore self-appoint yourself with the responsibility to be their guiding light, their caring hand and their shaping influence.

To be trusted with that responsibility by another is incredibly humbling and, indeed, a different kind of privilege.

Bouncing bambino was born shortly afterward. At only a couple of months old, he is already far more charming and handsome than his father (though, incidentally, so was my breakfast), and is showing a combination of faith, confidence and cheek that can outshine even that of his mother.

In the weeks........

© Shropshire Star