Welcome to Rootschat Maureen.
Well, this is a mystery if ever there was one.

I keep changing my mind, one moment it's Pitman's shorthand then the next it's something like Arabic. I keep imaging I can see words like have, love and perhaps names like Emily or Amelia.
I wonder if someone took the photo other than your mother and then sent it to her with a message written on the back.
Had your mother knowledge of any other languages.
Perhaps if we bring it to the top of today's list then maybe someone new will spot something.
I can see where Sandra is coming from too.
Good luck.
Judy