When I didn't recognize someone who I have known for a very long time

This morning seemed okay and I hadn't really noticed that the fog had rolled in. Sometimes it seems pretty obvious to me and other times it appears during some moments. While working today as a cashier at a retail store, everything seemed to be going okay. Then a very close friend of mine appeared in my line at work. For some reason, when I first looked at her for a brief moment, I didn't know who she was. I don't know if there was a blank look on my face, but it sure felt that way, at least for a moment. I saw her smiling at me so I figured that we knew each other. There was no recognition of a name at all. A short time later I saw a man standing next to her. Then something clicked in my brain and I knew that was her husband. Now I knew both of their names. I was really happy about that! This was all going on in my brain while I was waiting on other customers in my line. This is a couple who I've probably known for over thirty years.

After I got home from work, I went on social media on my computer. I messaged the woman who I hadn't recognized right away in my line. I let her know that at first, I didn't recognize her. She said that she didn't realize that I hadn't recognized her. She said that I see so many people while I'm working that it's a wonder that I recognize anyone at all. She said that she was glad that I was able to figure it out. I'm so glad that there wasn't a blank look on my face. It is so embarrassing for me when that happens! Even though I know that it is not my fault when I can't remember something or someone, it still bothers me and I think it probably always will.

Why do things like this bother me when I don't have any control over this? I feel like living with a memory impairment can sometimes lower my self-esteem. How do you feel good about yourself when you can't remember someone who should be in your long-term memory? How do I not worry about my future and how it will affect my three children who are twenty-nine, twenty-five and twenty-one years old?