Last year I was having recurring dreams in which I found myself lost in a maze of streets and couldn’t find my way back to my starting place despite the streets being laid out in a grid. Out of curiosity I went online to see if I could find some meaning to my dreams. I had a reply from someone who did a tarot reading for me and predicted that I had a large sum of money coming to me. I dismissed it at the time as I thought it highly unlikely, but I was wrong!

My mother died in December 2024 at the age of 92. We were estranged for several years and were unable to be reconciled before her death because all of my sisters ignored my lack of mobility – I’m the eldest and the only one who doesn’t drive – and even refused to help me attend her funeral.

I didn’t expect to receive anything from Mum’s will, I thought I had already received my share while she was alive and needed nothing more. I informed the executors (my sister and her husband) that I wished my share to be donated to Age UK, but that’s not allowed. I had two options:

• Accept the bequest and do with it as I wish

• Refuse it and my share will be distributed between my sisters, who need the money even less than I do

When I proposed donating it all to Age UK I had no idea it would be such a large sum. I can get my home situation sorted out, possibly moving into a ground floor flat, although I could do with a project manager to assist. A mobility scooter would help me get to protests in Leeds, anywhere else I’m reliant on public transport.

The executors apparently didn’t get my request for a form to have it paid into my bank account so they sent me a cheque which I need to pay in at the post office, which means a long walk into the village. I’ve spent an hour on the phone to inform DWP, although the money is not yet in my account, as it will affect my Pension Credit and I want to avoid an overpayment later. I dislike using the phone for this reason, but there was no other option. A delay in reporting a change of circumstances could result in a suspicion that I’m doing it deliberately to milk the system for a bit more, although I’ve no incentive to do so.

The truth is that, even when I’ve done all that’s necessary for my own well being, I’ll still have more money than I’ve ever had in my life! I’m almost 77 with no dependents. I can increase my donations to various charities, but I’ld really like to leave a legacy that lives beyond me!