Tami Sager. PHOTO PROVIDED

Tami Sager said the most important thing about her is her faith.

“I had open-heart surgery four years ago and at the same time my sister passed away. It changed the direction of my life because I figured I’m on borrowed time,” Sager said.

Her sister’s death put Sager’s whole life in perspective, she said, explaining that she takes advantage by making a difference with others when and where she can, which is something she might not have done prior to her surgery and her sister’s death.

“Ever since then I’ve tried to be kinder — I’ve tried to do what Jesus would do,” Sager said.

Sager admits she fell in love with the people of Pine Island while trying to recuperate from her surgery at her Pine Island short-term rental. What she describes as the “Pine Island Magic” happened with no effort on her part and she decided to stay here full time.

“I have lived everywhere but Pine Island is the only place I’ve ever felt safe,” Sager said.

Her love for Pine Island can be found in the ways she feels she is able to give back to the community. She said people who come to eat or visit at her Eagle’s Nest Restaurant know they can count on her.

“I have so many homeless that come in. We have to take care of each other,” Sager said.

Sager confesses that God gives her strength to get through each day, and that she simply couldn’t do it on her own.

Tasked with having to describe Pine Island to someone who has no knowledge of it, she said, she would describe it as a family.

“There are no strangers on Pine Island. In fact, if you’re a stranger on Pine Island, it’s because you don’t want company,” Sager said.

Everyone who comes into the Eagle’s Nest is greeted with a warm welcome, she said.

“If I look down the end of the bar and there’s a woman sitting by herself, I can tell by her face if she’s upset about something. One of us will go talk to her or I’ll introduce her to the other women at the restaurant and before long, she’s coming back with friends. It’s very much a close-knit family,” Sager said.

Something happening along these lines has become a very common event in her world, she said, explaining that in her opinion, her life as a restaurateur has become more of a ministry than anything else.

Her best evidence of women banning together and helping other women, she said, can be found in the Sisters of the Island meetings, which are on the first Tuesday of every month at the Eagle’s Nest Restaurant.

“It’s faith-based, but it’s not faith-based. It has really grown and it has brought so many women healing and support,” Sager said.

If she had one wish for Pine Island, Sager said it would be for the Island to take off and also to stay in what she sees as the present movement toward God in the world and that what she sees might become more pronounced.

“There’s a big spiritual movement right now on Pine Island, I would like to see that become the norm. Also, if all of our businesses could become unified like they used to be, would be a second wish,” Sager said.

The Eagle’s Nest Restaurant is at 10880 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia. Call the restaurant at (239) 558-5577 or visit its website at https://theeaglesnestrestaurant.com/ for more information.

To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email