Stan Lee was a legendary entertainer.

Stan did many things in the entertainment industry, but he was simply an entertainer.

This article isn't going to be an obituary or a biography, or anything like that.

This is quite simply a thank you.

A thank you to a man that used his gifts to inspire so many people for decades. Stan Lee's stories inspired generations of writers, and many of those writers have gone on to inspire generations of writers.

More importantly, his characters inspired people.

Spider-Man has inspired people to be themselves and taught us that anyone can be a hero. Through Spider-Man, Lee taught us that "With great power, there must also come–great responsibility!"

Through the Fantastic Four, Stan Lee taught us about family. Both the family we have through blood and the family we make along the way.

I could go on and on about the lessons learned from all the characters he created, and how they inspired us, but we would be here all day.

The fact of the matter is, Stan Lee taught us what it means to be a hero.

Heroes aren't people with powers. They are people who try their best to do what is right. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they all have in common is the desire to do what is right in their heart.

We are all different, but we can all be heroes. In fact, the things that make us different, make us special, and the things that make us special, make us super.

Was he a perfect human being? Of course not, but none of us are perfect.

What he was, however, was a man who used his creative genius to inspire people.

Since 1941, Lee proved why the pen is mightier than the sword.

Lee used his pen the change lives. Heck, he used his pen to save lives. His characters, his words, and his heart have made an immeasurable difference in the world today.

Stan may be gone, but the lessons he helped teach us will last forever. Lee didn't just teach us what it meant to be a hero, he taught us what it meant to be human.

Thank you for everything that you did for the world, Stan Lee. You will be missed. Rest in Peace.

And lastly,

Excelsior!