- [Dara] Into the water he goes with the splash, then he's off, one arm at a time.

69-year-old Carlos Glender glides to the pool at Charlotte Latin.

- [Carlos] I feel almost natural in the water.

- [Dara] Natural and quick.

He uses every part of his body to rip through the water.

- [Carlos] It's a wonderful feeling.

- [Dara] Coming up for air as needed, Glender stays in his lane keeping the pace.

- [Carlos] And it's really a breathing thing where you control your breathing.

You don't start out too fast.

- [Dara] The senior tells me swimming has been a passion of his since he was young.

However, with a busy career in the Navy, he didn't have much time to swim.

- I served in naval aviation.

I started out as an avionics technician for the Navy and then eventually became an officer.

And I served 20 years and I retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

- [Dara] Glenda's career in aviation didn't stop there.

His next job took him to Ohio, where he worked for an air cargo company.

- Became the AOG manager, which is aircraft on the ground.

So we had a team of people that worked 24/7.

And we supported the fleet of aircraft.

Whenever anything breaks, our team would be like the emergency response people to solve the problem.

- [Dara] After 12 years, he landed a new job at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

He planned to work there for a while.

However, in 2017, he got news he never saw coming.

- [Carlos] I was diagnosed initially with bladder cancer.

When you hear the word cancer, you think of the worst.

- [Dara] Glender says this forced him to retire sooner than expected, but it gave him a new perspective on what really mattered in life.

- [Carlos] That cancer diagnosis kind of led my wife and I to realize to spend more time with family.

And my daughter and grandkids lived in Charlotte, so we moved down from Cincinnati area.

- [Dara] Seven years later, he spends lots of time with family and he's cancer free.

- Okay, here we go.

Back.

(gentle music) - [Dara] Plus, he has plenty of time enjoying his passion here, and staying active in his community.

- I'm involved with a group called Senior Scholars.

I volunteer to be the curriculum manager.

So I find speakers that speak on scientific topics and that's really my passion.

- And just a little over eight miles away at the Barclay at SouthPark, there's someone else pursuing a passion post-retirement.

- [Maxey] I think it's just kind of neat that the colors come to life after you've drawn it.

- [Dara] With each stroke of a brush, his drawing begins to transform.

- [Maxey] Most people, I think see their dogs by their eyes.

- [Dara] 79-year-old Maxey Sanderson concentrates on every detail using black paint to bring the dog's eyes to life and brown to complete the ears.

- [Maxey] I just think it's amazing.

- [Dara] For this senior, creating art was something he always admired.

- I had some artists working for me.

I could technically tell you how you make sure the colors can be seen on a computer screen for somebody that's colorblind.

- [Dara] Before retiring, Sanderson spent 25 years as president of a software company.

Although he frequently worked with artists throughout his career, he never thought he'd become one himself.

That all changed when he got to his retirement community.

- When I came here, they had lots of activities.

The first class was November of the year ago.

- [Dara] It wasn't Sanderson's plan to be at the Barclay at SouthPark, but after his wife Gay was diagnosed with leukemia in 2020, that's where they ended up.

- Really was doing it for her to come rehab here, so Layla and I could be here with her.

- [Dara] In 2022, Sanderson's wife of 52 years passed away.

- One of the hardest things after losing a spouse is, and Layla helps with this somewhat, but it's the coming and going.

Is you don't hear, goodbye.

You know, you don't hear, hello.

And the silence are the loudest noises you hear.

- [Dara] With each slow downward stroke on his canvas, it resembles the tears he's cried as he mourned his wife, but also the tears of joy as he flows into his newfound passion.

- I didn't realize how painting reflects your feelings.

- [Dara] Fortunately, Sanderson doesn't have to paint or live alone.

- [Maxey] She loves to chase the ball.

- [Dara] Layla, his 8-year-old Shihtzu, who isn't shy at all, keeps him company.

- This would be a mighty lonely place at night.

She was a real good dog to my wife and comforted her, and I can tell she misses her sometimes too, and I can tell that she's reflecting on it in her way.

- [Dara] As Sanderson continues to paint and Glender swims, it's healing and teaching them both how to truly enjoy life.

For "Carolina Impact," I'm Dara Khaalid.