An Elixir for a Friend

There is a tradition that a good friend and I share, and that brings me a great deal of satisfaction.  A few years ago I bought a very large sketchbook, and in this sketchbook my friend and I write letters to one another, post pictures, share things that are going on in our lives, and we just ship the sketchbook back and forth to each other.  We are in different states, friends since our youth, but enjoy staying in touch in this manner.  The entries are made only every few months, if we are lucky.  But it's great fun.
It's nice to have the entire book to refer back to, and to read over the years of correspondence while making yet another contribution in the dialogue.
In our exchange, we often share what is happening in our lives, the good things, and the struggles.

After I finished this month's entry, I kept thinking about a quote that I heard that simply stated:
"Suffering is the Elixir of Nobility."  That is profound, and a timely reminder for some of the struggles that I've recently been facing.

So, as I wrapped up the sketchbook and prepared it to send off, I thought about elixirs and potions, and doodled this for my friend. (I deleted his address for privacy's sake..but you get the picture).

There's nothing better than getting something in the mail that can brighten your day.

Done in gouache and Pen and Ink.