I Need to Feel Loved and Appreciated

Lately I've been feeling a stinging pain and haven't been able to sleep. It's so painful to see how so many people are too afraid of being sensitive and open to each other. I've been longing to be with someone since I got back to the small town where I need to support my family cause my mom has cancer. I'm trying to get involved in some meaningful things here, it will help, I know. I'm only 18 but I really care about people and the world. I wish girls wouldn't just prejudge me as someone they wouldn't want to date just because of my age.