I have known friend for 15 years.
Small village. She is local (& popular) I am neither.
We met as her son (then 7) was part of a small group bullying mine (badly),
She was the only one who behaved properly - taught her son right from wrong & they became best friends. This changed at Secondary School (my son is ASD)
Boys are now both 18. Hers is doing well, Mine is not. Because my son is Autistic things come very hard to him. He was very sad to lose his friend (her son has moved on & stopped acknowledging mine in school /street at all).
Despite all this, friend & I have managed to stay friends (although we have little in common, she is married & my H left, she has a good job, I don't etc)
I have managed not to feel jealous to far as she is kind, works hard & is lovely.
Anyway, I was at her house last week amongst a small group having drinks. I was unusually quiet as I felt I just couldn't 'join in' with any of the conversation about successful kids/ good jobs/ happy marraiges etc. A big a self pity moment! Suddenly she invited me on their family holiday with them for a few days. I was taken aback as it was a genuinely kind offer & felt a bit guilty as I'd been sitting there feeling rather jealous & sorry for myself. We had a coffee a few days later & I explained this. She was nice about it. I have thought it through & I can't take up the offer (I can't leave my Dc & I am not independent enough to manage on hols (it would be a bed whilst they dash about & I am disabled).
How do I phrase a 'no thank you' without sounding rude & churlish?
(perhaps I am?)