I killed some kittens when I was around 6. I was just playing and it was an accident, but it haunted me for years. To this day I can't stand hurting animals. I was legitimately saddened the other morning when I stepped on a snail on my front porch.
But I also know that my actions as a child don't make me a bad person now. Yes I try to make up for it. Not because I haven't forgiven myself, but because I know the pain of hurting something.
I'm pretty sure the scene from Mallrats was based on me. I stood and stared at those at the mall for days and could never see them. Finally one day - 20ish years later it finally clicked and now I can see them.