Inspired by the message at the heart of The Note - the Hallmark Channel movie she stars in this Saturday night - Genie Francis wants to make amends with General Hospital fans.

Many of them, decades after the fact, have remained bitter and disappointed that the actress quit the soap opera at the peak of her popularity.

"I know that Laura [Baldwin Spencer] meant a great deal to many people, and still does," says Francis. "I've long regretted not taking the fans into account when making the hasty decision to leave the show.

"Forgiveness and reconciliation are at the core of The Note, and filming it forced me to look inside myself at certain decisions in my past.... Right now I want to reach out to all of my fans and say that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving you so abruptly, for not taking into account the feelings of the people who helped Laura truly take on a life of her own.

"It was the decision of a young, impetuous girl," Francis finished, "and the woman she has become asks for your forgiveness."

Gotta admire Francis for this course of action.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.