MY GIRLFRIENDS QUILT
©1998 by Valerie DeLaCruz

        I have a quilt on my old queen bed
        A haphazard bunch of patches
        And each reminds me of a friend
        All so different, yet not one clashes

        Megan's that scrap of faded denim
        With sapphires buttons, a hint of satin
        Judy's pewter velveteen
        Luxurious in tailored pleats
        Benita, magenta silk and lace
        Nothing ordinary here or commonplace

        CHORUS: And these friends make up my quilt
                           They keep me warm, they cover for me
                           We're pieced together without a pattern
                           Frayed at the edges
                           But our pledge of love is the thread
                           That holds together
                           My girlfriends quilt

        I don't know what I'd do without them
        Patching me up when I come undone
        They keep me in stitches, out of ditches
        They fill my heart with love's sweet riches

        Corley's antique tapestry
        With golden threads like her guitar strings
        Maxann's cashmere understated
        Soft and lush, uncomplicated
        Anita, exotic leopard print
        And there's a flannel lining beckoning me to climb on in
       
        CHORUS
        
		

CLEAN OUT YOUR HEART
©1998 Valerie DeLaCruz/BMI

        You're my best friend
        I'll listen to anything you have to say
        But please not that again
        You have to face the fact that he's gone to stay
        You've cried enough
        Now I know it's tough to hear
        But it's true
        
        CHORUS: Girl, it's time
                           To clean out your heart
                           It's time to dust it off
                           And make that fresh start
                           Sweep away the tears
                           Empty out the pain
                           So you can start to fill it again
                           Girl it's time
                           To clean out your heart
        
        Next time a new man calls
        Don't say no, give him a try
        You tried your best
        Now kiss this mess goodbye
        You've a life to live
        You've got a lot to give someone new

        CHORUS: Girl, it's time
                           To clean out your heart
                           It's time to dust it off
                           And make that fresh start
                           Sweep away the tears
                           Empty out the pain
                           So you can start to fill it again
                           Girl it's time
                           To clean out your heart

SISTER (I'D CHOOSE YOU FOR MY FRIEND)
©1998 Valerie DeLaCruz BMI

        Sometimes people can't tell us apart         I know what you're gonna say before you start         Look in the mirror, you'll see my smile         Pick up the phone and melt away the miles                  I know you'd do anything for me         Climb any mountain, cross the deep blue sea         'Cause it's only water, it's not thicker than blood         When I need you, you roll in like a flood                  CHORUS: You're my sister, you're my best friend                            We've got a love that'll never end                            Pure as gold, rare as a gem                            If you weren't my sister                            I'd choose you for my friend                  Even though you're far away we're still so close         Our bond's so deep that it's in our bones         Stronger than diamonds, solid as stone         It lives in my heart and sings in my soul                  CHORUS: You're my sister, you're my best friend                            We've got a love that'll never end                            We're closer now than we've ever been                            If you weren't my sister                            I'd choose you for my friend                  Ooohh, my best friend	         You know you are my best friend 

ONLY A WOMAN KNOWS
©2002 Irene Kelley and Valerie DeLaCruz

Five in the morning
And her water just broke
She's scared and she starts to cry
Her husband says, "Honey,
You don't have to worry
Cause I'm right here by your side"
Well, she loves him for trying
But there's just some things he can't understand
So she calls up her sister
Who has comfort to give her
'Cause with something as deep as this goes
Only a woman knows

That baby's all grown now
She's moved to another town
Making her way on her own
But here she is calling
At two in the morning
Small lost voice on the phone
Daddy says, "Honey, what's the matter?"
But she asks for her mama instead
So mama drives 'til the dawn breaks
To soothe her girl's heartache
It's so painful when innocence goes
Only a woman knows

Bridge: A mother, a lover a friend
From her first breath 'til the very end
Now mama's a soldier
Her daughter consoles her
Together they're fighting this war
Love and chemo their weapons
A curse and a blessing
Hair falls like leaves to the floor
Doctors nurses and neighbors
And her husband stand by in the hall
As time turns the daughter
To the role of the mother
For something as deep as this goes
Only a woman knows

MY MOM SAYS I CAN
©2004 Valerie DeLaCruz

Can't nothin' hold me back
When I set my mind to something
I ain't braggin', it's just a fact
That's the way it is for me

It's been that way all my life
Ever since I can remember
I don't question, I don't ask why
I don't even have to wonder
	How do I know
	That it's so?
	-'Cause my mom says I can
	yeah, my mom says I can!

She's my solid ground and my tender shoulder
A shining light when it's hard to see
I'm still her baby even though I'm older
Ain't that how it's supposed to be?

She gave me the moon and showed me the stars
Cheered me on for all my dreams
It might take a while and it might be hard
But thanks to her, I believe in me

How do I know
	That it's so?
	-'Cause my  mom says I can
	She's my biggest fan

BRIDGE:	Don't get me wrong
		I've had disappointments
		-Tears and fears and heartache
		But I reach down deep inside to find
		The precious gift she gave to me

How do I know
	That it's so?
	-'Cause my  mom says I can
		Yeah my mom says I can
		My mom says I can
		

BETTER THAN EVER
©2004 Valerie DeLaCruz

Hey baby I survived I'm just happy to be alive The pain that took me over changed my life  I didn't know Just how far down I could go But something deep inside me won't take "no"  CHORUS:	 I'm gonna come back better than ever You're never gonna know that I was down The struggle that made me stronger is over now and when I come back I'll be better I'll be able to walk through fire Every day I have left Is a beautiful gift to treasure Oh, oh, oh  -Better than ever  You're only seeing half of me But inside I'm gathering Soon I'll be taking back my destiny  I'll never be the same I'll be forever changed But somehow because of this I've gained  CHORUS  Bridge:	Sometimes you gotta die a little 	To be born again 	I'm gonna grab onto that silver lining and  CHORUS 		

BABY YOU CHANGED MY LIFE
©2004 Valerie DeLaCruz

You melted me with your big brown eyes
Your tender touch won my heart
I didn't believe in love at first sight
But I was yours from the start
	Just one look at you
	Right then I knew
    Baby, oh baby, 
	You changed my life

I wasn't empty but now I'm full
I never would have guessed
That lying here with you in my arms
I would feel so blessed
	The bond you're making with me
	Makes me feel so free
    Baby, oh baby, 
	You changed my life

Bridge:	
You changed my life
Now everything's so right
My love

I never knew that love could be this way
Brand new with no disguise
Now nothing's ever gonna be the same
I'll wait for each surprise
	You're pure heaven to hold
	And to think you're only three hours old
	Baby, oh baby, 
	You're my sweet baby
	Ooh, baby, oh baby
	You changed my life