Did any of you have a really hard time with family gatherings?

[smirkymonkey]

I am a pretty highly socially functioning raging introvert. In other words, I'm really good at faking it, but it's a complete nightmare for me.

I went to a Thanksgiving gathering down in a large mid-Atlantic city where my brother lives now and my entire family gathered. Everything was lovely, the home, the food, there was nothing actually wrong. However, I am an introvert in a family of extroverts and I found it excruciatingly painful. Also, they also drink a lot, but never seem to be really drunk. I don't really drink.

I just felt so painfully left out. I am single, childless. They are all married w/ children. They are all outdoorsy, sporty, I am indoorsy, bookish (although I did go out for a number of hikes, which I enjoyed). They are suburban/country people, I am a city person. They let me loose in Baltimore for about 2 hours and I felt like I had been let out of jail. 2 whole hours alone in a city! I thought I would die if I had to spend one more hour in horse country - as beautiful as it is - trying to talk about the things that interest the rest of my family (FYI - they tend toward the conservative, however one brother is nominally liberal, so I have some support there).

Anyway, I have never felt so alone in my life. I feel less alone when I actually am alone. At least I don't feel so rejected. What were your holiday experiences? Thank god my brother has this adorable black labrador retriever. I spent most of my time with her. She saved my life this week.