The whole trip sucked. Coming down there and revisiting with family after a 2 year hiatus reminded me why it took me so many years to lose my virginity. I listened to my grandmother and mom rant and rave how fat and ugly i had gotten in the last 2 years (205lbs in single digit bf.. probably 9-10%). For some reason i didn't think telling them it was test bloat would help my cause. I then had to eat dinner at my grandmothers while my aunt brings her tumor ridden dog that is on the verge of dying, yet the insist on keeping it alive like Terry Shiavo with steroids and multiple surgeries. It was totally blind and as i watched it stumble around the room and my Mom cutting the tukery i slowly lost my appetite.
My autistic second cousin was running around telling everyone the TV would be working properly in a few minutes and my whole right wing conservative side of the family ranted about the Rapture and how they were all stocking up canned foods for the event. Me and my dad ate in disgust in a private room away from the rest of the family. I hate these family get togethers. Why do we have them 
GREAT post! Thanks for posting this and having the courage to express your feelings on this subject.
I don't go to any Thanksgiving get-togthers myself . I went to an ECHL hokcey game with my wife on T-day.

My 79 yr old mom , still does the turkey dinner with all the fixin's. She had 21 extended family members in her small place for dinner.
I visit her in the summer and spend a few days hanging out and enjoying some quality time with her when it is less hectic.
The few family members I do keep in touch with are ones that I enjoy seeing.
I just don't don't go out of my way for people who don't see or talk to me on a regular basis.
Just because some person may have some obscure geteic copnnection is not any reason for eitehr of us to feel compelled to spenmd the holidays together.
Solution for those that feel miserbale and hate the t-day experience- DON'T go!

You will geta little bit of grief at first, but those that love you will accept it and just be sure to find a time to see them at some point each yr.