In my past, I was a stuper like Tiger. I grew up with my hurts and challenges, like we all do, but was also blessed with talents and intelligence. I was brought up well and got a good education. I was a young man with high ideals. But as a well-meaning young man, I had no clue that emotional forces were much stronger than my ideals, my will, commitments and responsibilities. I had no concept of codependency and addiction. I was blind to my long list of character defects. And as a result, my life gradually fell apart. The story of the losses and the hurts felt by many people in my life, especially by my ex-wife and children, is long and sorrowful. A lot of daily work goes into fixing myself and making amends, though it is impossible to make it all right. I don’t get a do-over.

I’m not making excuses for myself or for Tiger. But I think I do understand some of the dynamics at play. I feel sad for his wife and kids, and can also feel a lot of sympathy for Tiger himself. I’ll pray that someday I can welcome him into my club: stupers anonymous!