Gratitude Girl

Dear Jeannie: You've been on my mind... You are one of my all-time favorite characters. I've loved you since the first time I watched I Dream of Jeannie when I was just a kid. What's not to love? You are beautiful, funny, and naughty... and even your room inside the bottle is cute, like a dollhouse. I like your sense of humor and all the pranks you play on poor Major Nelson.  As much as I enjoy watching you and your tricks, both inside and outside your bottle, your family members' sudden appearance always makes me feel uncomfortable, maybe even scares me a little. Their presence makes me hold my breath, and I can only exhale when they go away. Thankfully, all of you genies look great for your age. Thanks for all the laughs!  Thank you, Barbara Eden, for beautifully playing Jeannie. Love... Gratitude Girl

Dear Martin: You've been on my mind... Ever since I watched the first Lethal Weapon, I loved you. You are brave, intelligent, and handsome, but, most of all, you are crazy... in a good way. I'm sorry the bad guys hurt you, not just by killing your wife but also by causing you physical harm. I love that you live on the beach...with a dog.  Your relationship with your co-workers is fantastic. Your interactions with Doctor Stephanie Woods are priceless. Murtaugh is lucky to have you as a partner, despite the hell you put him through. Thanks for being you, and thanks for the laughs! Thank you, Mel Gibson, for portraying Martin Gibbs so beautifully. Love... Gratitude Girl

Dear John: You've been on my mind... You became one of my favorite action heroes the very first time I watched a Die Hard movie. You were handsome, brave, funny... and in love. I felt proud of you but also sorry for you: Every time you got in trouble, it was because you were struggling to show your wife how much you loved her. You always got hurt quite badly but you never quit, and I admired you for this. Thank you for protecting people by courageously fighting the bad guys. Thank you, Bruce Willis, for beautifully portraying John McClane. Love... Gratitude Girl

Dear Berta: You've been on my mind... I met you only recently, as I'd never watched Two and a Half Men until two months ago. You were my favorite character on the show. Your sense of humor and your sassy remarks immediately captivated me, and I enjoyed watching you play first Charlie's and later Walden's housekeeper over twelve seasons, during which your last name remained unknown.  Your love and appreciation for your bosses didn't go unnoticed. I relished watching you amuse yourself in making fun of the entire Harper family and found your relationships with Jake, Zippy, and Louis particularly delightful, each in a different way. Thank you, Conchata Ferrell, for beautifully portraying Berta's character. Love... Gratitude Girl